Get the "JOB YOU DESERVE"

[ACUMEN]

Hi Friends,

Firstly let me congratulate you all for deciding to immigrate to Canada- The country of opportunities.
I am starting a new topic to help new immigrants find the jobs they deserve. And as all of us will appreciate “The FIRST JOB” is where it all begins.

The rush and the excitement of getting that first job can rarely be matched.

That first job in Canada is not only important from the perspective of being able to earn money and being self-independent and self-reliant but also because this job will very well define our identities and what kind of life we will have.

“Getting the first job according to one's experience and qualification” is the biggest challenge all the new skilled immigrants' face that come to Canada. Wealth one has gets reduced by multiple times when you convert your money to Canadian dollars. It's really scary when people just write off all the education and training one has had in a jiffy. The only advice a new immigrants are given is to start with a survival job as soon as possible. Jobs like security guard, construction laborers, gas station worker are the only options one has. Keeping idealism aside the reality of “paying the bills” catches up very fast. Sadly enough when you demean your capabilities for some time going back to your original profession becomes impossible.

We advise you to take steps to equip yourself so that this never happens to you and fulfill all “Canadian dreams” you would have. All you need are the right marketing tools and guidance to make you shine.

Cheers.

Gary

 

[SanRoque]

Great stuff Gary.

 

[ACUMEN]

Great stuff Gary.

Thanks.

 

[ACUMEN]

Dear Friends,

Canadian economy is not getting any better.

So if you're thinking about getting into a new role, there's just no sense in simply hoping that things are going to get better, because it's clear that demand for new employees is down.

Now, in any market, when demand is down, there are smart ways to adjust, and there are bad ways to adjust, to the new realities.

When demand for new employees is down, the wrong move is to cut your job search budget.

You need to make sure that you get your name and message out there more, not less. That it's more effective, not less. That you present yourself more professionally, not less. That your name, and your resume, and your message are better crafted, not just a best guess.

Please let me know if any of you have any specific questions regarding “Your Job Search in Canada” as this is my area of expertise.

All the best,

Gary

 

[ACUMEN]

Dear Friends,

Following are some of the challenges that new Immigrants face:

Lack of knowledge around Canadian laws, bylaws and regulations
Internationally trained professionals and skilled trade workers from other countries normally do not know North American standards required for their profession. It is essential for local training institutions to provide them with special training courses about Canadian laws, bylaws, and regulations in their professional fields.

Lack of Canadian basic training and upgrading opportunities
Many overseas trades or training skills are not recognized. Local employers either discount overseas foreign qualifications or hire the person at a much lower salary rate. Training institutions normally do not have their training programs customized to meet the needs of internationally trained professionals or skills trade workers for skills upgrading.

Lack of Canadian work experience
Many new immigrant job seekers have neither Canadian work experience nor a stable work history (because of war or political/social turmoil in their former countries).

Lack of English proficiency
This is the main barrier to employment for many immigrants. It is also a roadblock to employment for the skilled trade immigrants who normally do not have high education from their former countries. Lack of English may be interpreted as poor communication resulting in limited social networking for employment search. Language barrier may lead to loss of confidence, depression, and withdrawal.

Thanks,

Gary

 

[ACUMEN]

Hi Friends,

What do Microsoft, Ebay, Netflix, and Target have in common? All these companies (and many more) have used LinkedIn to recruit candidates for employment.

Kay Luo, (former) Director of Corporate Communications at LinkedIn, explains why, "The main reason that companies are using LinkedIn is to find passive job candidates. Another reason why companies are using LinkedIn, is because referrals from their employees are highly valued because they typically have a higher success rate (hence the popular "employee referral bonuses"). LinkedIn helps companies leverage the networks of their employees."

How to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job - Or Have a Job Find You

• Create a Profile. Create a detailed profile on LinkedIn, including employment (current and past), education, industry, and websites.

• Consider a Photo. You can add a photo (a headshot is recommended or upload a larger photo and edit it) to your LinkedIn profile. Note that it must be a small photo - no larger than 80x80 pixels.

• Keywords and Skills. Include all your resume keywords and skills in your profile, so your profile will be found.

• Build Your Network. Connect with other members and build your network. The more connections you have, the more opportunities you have, with one caveat from Kay Luo (former) Director of Corporate Communications at LinkedIn, "Connect to people you know and trust or have a business relationship with, no need to go crazy and connect with everyone."

• Get Recommendations. Recommendations from people you have worked with carry a lot of weight.

• Search Jobs. Use the job search section to find job listings.

• Use Answers. The Answers section of LinkedIn is a good way to increase your visibility. Respond to questions, and ask a question if you need information or assistance.

• Stay Connected. Use LinkedIn Mobile (m.linkedin.com) to view profiles, invite new connections, and access to LinkedIn Answers from your phone.

 

[Ketevan]

I was lucky to find a job 3 weeks after landing, it is a communication agent within telecom company. I need to manage clients' accounts through income calls. What I found is that retaining a job is even more difficult than finding it. Companies are extremely competitive. In the first 8 weeks of my work, every week we had exams and people with a score below the pass mark got fired. Now we are evaluated on the basis of how much sales we make a day and again people below a minimum percentage risk to be sacked. I have the impression that humans are regarded as vending machines and are valued proportionately to their revenue generating capacity in the modern capitalistic world.

Hi Friends,

What do Microsoft, Ebay, Netflix, and Target have in common? All these companies (and many more) have used LinkedIn to recruit candidates for employment.

Kay Luo, (former) Director of Corporate Communications at LinkedIn, explains why, "The main reason that companies are using LinkedIn is to find passive job candidates. Another reason why companies are using LinkedIn, is because referrals from their employees are highly valued because they typically have a higher success rate (hence the popular "employee referral bonuses"). LinkedIn helps companies leverage the networks of their employees."

How to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job - Or Have a Job Find You

• Create a Profile. Create a detailed profile on LinkedIn, including employment (current and past), education, industry, and websites.

• Consider a Photo. You can add a photo (a headshot is recommended or upload a larger photo and edit it) to your LinkedIn profile. Note that it must be a small photo - no larger than 80x80 pixels.

• Keywords and Skills. Include all your resume keywords and skills in your profile, so your profile will be found.

• Build Your Network. Connect with other members and build your network. The more connections you have, the more opportunities you have, with one caveat from Kay Luo (former) Director of Corporate Communications at LinkedIn, "Connect to people you know and trust or have a business relationship with, no need to go crazy and connect with everyone."

• Get Recommendations. Recommendations from people you have worked with carry a lot of weight.

• Search Jobs. Use the job search section to find job listings.

• Use Answers. The Answers section of LinkedIn is a good way to increase your visibility. Respond to questions, and ask a question if you need information or assistance.

• Stay Connected. Use LinkedIn Mobile (m.linkedin.com) to view profiles, invite new connections, and access to LinkedIn Answers from your phone.

 

[kingkong1]

I was lucky to find a job 3 weeks after landing, it is a communication agent within telecom company. I need to manage clients' accounts through income calls. What I found is that retaining a job is even more difficult than finding it. Companies are extremely competitive. In the first 8 weeks of my work, every week we had exams and people with a score below the pass mark got fired. Now we are evaluated on the basis of how much sales we make a day and again people below a minimum percentage risk to be sacked. I have the impression that humans are regarded as vending machines and are valued proportionately to their revenue generating capacity in the modern capitalistic world.

Hi Ketevan,

I appreciate your honest post. Are you from Georgia? And also I assume you're a female, because most call center jobs are for women.

 

[SanRoque]

Mostly are men in our case but just don't know if all are straight.

 

[Ketevan]

Hi kingkong, yes I am Georgian and female but most employees in my centre are men, strong african men to be precise Some Studies have shown that men perform better in call centers because their voices sound more convincing.
But with a call center salary it is hard to feed a family, so I guess not all men are enthusiastic about this job.

Hi Ketevan,

I appreciate your honest post. Are you from Georgia? And also I assume you're a female, because most call center jobs are for women.

 

[Korea2Canada]

Call Centers are good jobs to start off with (for men or women). They often require low education and experience. The pay is not high but can get you started.

 

[Ketevan]

I actually quit my call centre job. One needs to be really desperate for money to tolerate insults of clients and constant pressure of supervisors to make sales. Not to mention the inhumane hours when you can finish at midnight on monday and start at 7.30 am on Tuesday. I felt how my health deteriorated in 2 months. And all of that for an almost minimum wage. I would rather cook sandwiches at Tim horton's.
But the good thing is that call centres are always recruiting and do not look at the fact that you are immigrant, because you will rarely see locals there - most outsource call centres in Montreal are 90% African.

Call Centers are good jobs to start off with (for men or women). They often require low education and experience. The pay is not high but can get you started.

 

[kingkong1]

I actually quit my call centre job. One needs to be really desperate for money to tolerate insults of clients and constant pressure of supervisors to make sales. Not to mention the inhumane hours when you can finish at midnight on monday and start at 7.30 am on Tuesday. I felt how my health deteriorated in 2 months. And all of that for an almost minimum wage. I would rather cook sandwiches at Tim horton's.
But the good thing is that call centres are always recruiting and do not look at the fact that you are immigrant, because you will rarely see locals there - most outsource call centres in Montreal are 90% African.

Really? Sad to hear that. Did you get a new job? If not, what are you going to do? Do you have enough savings to live on for a while. At least Canadians hire locals for call centre jobs now that Indians take over for this kind of jobs in the US. I heard they are considered as good jobs in India where salaries are pretty low.

Yeah you are right. It's probably better to make sandwiches or flip burgers. You'll make almost the same money or more with less stress.

 

[Ketevan]

I am working on finalizing my PhD dissertation which I need to submit soon. I will have to apply to call centre jobs again after I finish my thesis because it seems the only type of job that hires immigrants.
I am also thinking of studying for a 1 year course in accounting at college after which I will be able to work as junior accountant - there are always hundreds of jobs in accounting. The pay will not be great but at least it will be a back office job. I realized that doing a front office job, especially when you are immigrant, is not fun at all because clients underestimate your level of intelligence and behave accordingly.

Really? Sad to hear that. Did you get a new job? If not, what are you going to do? Do you have enough savings to live on for a while. At least Canadians hire locals for call centre jobs now that Indians take over for this kind of jobs in the US. I heard they are considered as good jobs in India where salaries are pretty low.

Yeah you are right. It's probably better to make sandwiches or flip burgers. You'll make almost the same money or more with less stress.

 

[Alex-Dubai]

Garry, how do I contact you?

Dear Friends,

Canadian economy is not getting any better.

So if you're thinking about getting into a new role, there's just no sense in simply hoping that things are going to get better, because it's clear that demand for new employees is down.

Now, in any market, when demand is down, there are smart ways to adjust, and there are bad ways to adjust, to the new realities.

When demand for new employees is down, the wrong move is to cut your job search budget.

You need to make sure that you get your name and message out there more, not less. That it's more effective, not less. That you present yourself more professionally, not less. That your name, and your resume, and your message are better crafted, not just a best guess.

Please let me know if any of you have any specific questions regarding “Your Job Search in Canada” as this is my area of expertise.

All the best,

Gary