decision to accompany or not accompany family

[AllisonVSC]

You will want to consult the link to review labour regulations in Canada. As you will see there are limits to the number of hours per day and per week that one can work. And an agreement between you and your employer to exceed those limits must be approved by the Director of Employment Standards. Also remember when calculating where or not you can afford for your family to accompany that taxes (on income as well as goods and services) are high. Food, housing, and car insurance are also expensive in Toronto, Ontario.

http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/es/pubs/guide/hours.php

I have found that breaking into the Canadian job market is difficult. Having "Canadian work experience" seems to be an important factor in getting a job even for immigrants from the US. I have been here over 1 year with no job. Fortunately, I came in family class and my partner (sponsor) can afford the living costs for both of us. I am now studying accounting and French and will be doing an unpaid internship in order to get that all important work experience. Our rent is $1250 (we will in Mississauga) for a 3 bedroom and it was hard to find something acceptable at this level. My car insurance is $1740 per year (his is MUCH higher). We spend over $400 on food at the grocery per month (for 2 people) and do occasionally eat out.

Also, If you settle here and then bring your family later, their days towards citizenship will start when they land, not when you landed. And you must keep track of your days in and out of Canada for both citizenship and PR card renewal.

 

[CharlotteJ]

I just got a phone call from a prestigious recruitment agency in Toronto and the moment I picked up the phone it was like" we want to interview you in 3 languages and see if you are indeed multi-lingual" and yes, we did and I passed the test.

They told me they are now going to look for a job for me and are convinced I am a good catch! ...

But yes, sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo difficult to find a job here. I know what you mean Allison. It doesn't matter if you are a doctor or a surgeoun or engineer, they don't care. All they do care for is if you have Canadian job experience.

I too am going to study and improve my skills and be certified.

Hope you will soon land a perfect job.

 

[qwerbilzak]

I just got a phone call from a prestigious recruitment agency in Toronto and the moment I picked up the phone it was like" we want to interview you in 3 languages and see if you are indeed multi-lingual" and yes, we did and I passed the test.

They told me they are now going to look for a job for me and are convinced I am a good catch! ...

But yes, sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo difficult to find a job here. I know what you mean Allison. It doesn't matter if you are a doctor or a surgeoun or engineer, they don't care. All they do care for is if you have Canadian job experience.

I too am going to study and improve my skills and be certified.

Hope you will soon land a perfect job.

If you get the Canadian certification for your skills, is that enough to get them to consider you? Or do you need "Canadian experience"?

My question is, why would they want the latter? Are they trying to find out if other Canadians have been willing to hire you? Or that you've been able to work among Canadians?

I understand why they want locally verified certification, but I can't understand the Canuck experience part.

 

[CharlotteJ]

Having a Canadian certification does help for sure, but as long as you can't prove you 've any Canadian job experience, the chance is less likely to be invited for an interview and/or to get a job unless they really need you and should hire you on spot.

They want to know if those who apply for a job, are well aware of the Canadian workplace culture or ethics and have excellent communication skills which is what they do refer to in their ads.

But networking is a big issue here and sure helps you to get a job sooner.