IT jobs - any help would be appreciated

[Real619]

Hello all, I am new to these forums. Here is the story, my wife is a Canadian citizen and I am a US citizen. We have been living in the US since we were married over 8 years ago, she is a permanent resident here. We have seriously been considering relocating to NB where she is originally from so that we can be closer to her family. I have been actively seeking employment in New Brunswick for the past two months with very few call backs. This is my issue, recruiters/employers call me at least twice a week here with job offers but I cannot seem to get a call back from anyone in Canada. I've gone as far as hiring an immigration lawyer and readying a spousal undertaking but have been told not to submit the forms until we are there and employed as it looks better on the application. He has also informed me that I am LMO exempt as a "Systems Analyst", which I should easily qualify for. I am an IT manager with over 4 years experience in a Windows based shop. I run a 4 man crew that handles anything and everything IT in a medium sized organization with roughly 400 users, so I believe that we are all very well versed in this field. I also have a Master's degree in Networking and Communications Management. Having said all of that I still cannot seem to get a call back on anything, and I have applied for easily 100 jobs that I am completely qualified for. Anyone that may have any advice/prospects, please get back to me and any help would be greatly appreciated. Here is a copy of my resume:

Career Profile

Managing Network Administrator with over four years IT experience in the healthcare industry and supporting academic background in Networking and Communications - Security Management. Committed to getting the job done, work well in team environment. Organized, punctual and reliable, self-motivated and detail oriented, able to relate to others with patience and understanding.
• Windows Server and Desktop Support
• Network Maintenance and Knowledge of Network Security Principles
• As a Manager, Excellent Communicator/Documenter

Technical Skills

Platforms: Windows 2000/XP/Win7, Windows Server 03/08, Linux
Networking Protocols: TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP
System Administration: Active Directory, Group Policies, Ethernet/Wireless/VPN, PC Troubleshooting, Cabling, Hardware Repairs/Upgrades, Software Installs/Upgrades, Terminal Services, VoIP, Imail, Cisco Networking
Applications: Microsoft Office Suite, MS Access, Remote Desktop/Dameware, Symantec, Sophos, VMware

Academic Background

Masters of Networking and Communications Management Keller Graduate School of Management,
Concentration: Security Naperville, IL
GPA: 3.85, Graduated With Distinction

Bachelor of Science in Technical Management DeVry University, Addison, IL
Concentration: Security Management
GPA 3.76, Graduated Magna Cum Laude
Inducted into Sigma Beta Delta

Associates of Arts in General Studies Herkimer County Community College
GPA 3.83, President’s List Herkimer, NY

Relevant Coursework: Database Concepts, Logic and Design, Wireless Networks, Wireless Communications Systems, Architecture and Operating Systems, Network Connectivity, Principles and Theory of Security Management, Project Management, Information Security, Security Administration, Evaluation of Security Programs, Physical Security and Access Control, Risk Analysis, Loss Prevention and Emergency Planning

Employment History
Information Services Supervisor June 2007 – Present
Denton County MHMR Center Denton, TX

Work as manager of MIS team in mid-sized health services facility supporting 350 users; environment comprised of Windows 2003/2008, Active Directory, Windows XP, Win 7, HP LaserJet printers, 3Com VoIP telecommunications and Cisco networking equipment. Excellent knowledge of Windows operating systems, active directory, and group policy

• Research and evaluate technology solutions for business/client needs and maintaining up-to-date licensing for all center software and vendor support contracts. Assess physical and information security risks to hardware, software and data and create/update policies and procedures to best prevent any type of loss
• Work well as an individual or in a team environment monitoring, troubleshooting, supporting and repairing equipment to ensure a stable, reliable infrastructure.
• Perform installation and administration activities for Windows servers, including system patching, critical updates and industry-recommended security configurations; manage Active Directory functionality, setting up user accounts, creating file system access, defining and implementing group policies, and configuring DNS and sites and services
• Confer with users/vendors /clients to develop, design and implement the best solutions that fit their needs. Document everything, attention to detail.
• Troubleshoot hardware and software issues as well as network-connectivity problems for all devices; set up and configure new equipment, customizing software to support healthcare environment computing needs; provide and maintain terminal server and VPN connections
• Conduct all technical support activities in accordance with HIPAA guidelines; accustomed to dealing with protected information. Develop contingency plans and update policies and procedures to minimize security threats.

 

[scylla]

I can't comment on the IT market in NB. Hopefully someone else can help you there.

I think your resume needs work. Try googling something along the lines of "canadian style resume" or "canadian style resume accomplishments based" to find some examples.

A few comments (sorry they're disorganized). Remove your GPAs. In Canada, you would only see marks on a resume of someone who is looking for their very first job out of school (and sometimes not even then). Also, GPAs aren't really used in Canada (this sends the unintended negative message that you couldn't be bothered to tailor the information in your resume to suit a Canadian employer). Definitely put your employment experience ahead of your schooling (I don't think I have ever seen a resume in Canada from an experienced person who put schooling first). Also, you should try to include accomplishment based information in your employment experience write up (e.g. maintained call centre satisfaction rates of 85% or over for three years, identified departmental process efficiencies that resulted in operational savings of 5% in one year, maintained security breaches at 0%, etc.) I hope this helps at least a little bit.

 

[Real619]

Thank you for the advice, I did not realize that there was a "Canadian way" to set up a resume, this version has done very well for me here. Another question I had that you may be able to help me with would be if it would be easier to visit her family and apply for jobs while I am there? Is the process of obtaining a work permit more difficult/easier if I was actually there?

 

[scylla]

Thank you for the advice, I did not realize that there was a "Canadian way" to set up a resume, this version has done very well for me here. Another question I had that you may be able to help me with would be if it would be easier to visit her family and apply for jobs while I am there? Is the process of obtaining a work permit more difficult/easier if I was actually there?

Sorry - I don't have any experience with obtaining work permits and don't want to lead you astray with bad info. Hopefully someone else will step in and comment.

Have you and your wife considered applying for your PR status now (i.e. before you have jobs in Canada)? To be perfectly frank, it's going to be much easier to get a job (or at least be considered as a serious candidate) once you are living here and have PR status. Employers typically prefer someone who is already here by far. I know your lawyer told you that you should wait until you have jobs in Canada - however many people on this message board have applied from the US and there's no reason you can't do the same.