Landing & job hunting experience in Canada

[GRABERJAN]

Dear All,
I want to share just my experience to motivate.
PER 25/05/2014
VO letter asking for more documents:28/10/2014
Received in my hand:23/01/2015(as they used ordinary mail and sent to my agent in Canada. So took long time)
sent all documents by deadline 27/01/2015.
Long waiting finally got final letter of approval on 09/04/2015 and ECAS updated.
Received visa with passports on 18/06/2015.
Landed on 03/10/2015. Processing at the Toronto airport was freindly.
Stayed at uncles house for few days. Then moved to rented appartment. Did all formalities of bank account health card etc.
A friend told about a picking job in a ware house like Amazon. Just for beginning I went for one month. So it helped me not to touch fund I brought and I learned a great lesson. It gave me a shocking treatment from how I was working relaxing free time environment in my previous place where hours are not counted. In my first job in Canada I walked almost 40km in the warehouse in 10 hour shift by evening so tired. Work environment was not friendly. I am an accountant. I met with an minor accident that pulled me out of that job taught me a lesson of how important it is to get a job in my profession and how aggressive I should be to get a job. I started my real hunting. I started interview calls. Started going for interviews. By attending interviews found my weak points. Tried to build up on those points. I found for new comers so called agencies are useless. You apply through websites which you will find through google. Due to off season of year end I had to wait. But I got an interview call from an accounting firm on 11/01/2015 and got selected. Now I have a permanent job for 5 years. If you have further questions please send message.

GBJ

 

[qureishi]

Hi GBJ,

Thanks for sharing your experience and congratulations on your first job Well deserved after the hard time !

Can you please share some more details of job hunting i.e websites you used ?

What is the rent in Toronto and monthly expanses ? What is the best month to shift permanently in Toronto ?

Thanks again

Q.

 

[GRABERJAN]

Hello Q,
The best website I found were Indeed and monster. But it again depends on how you draft your resume. You will get help on this from welcome centres and Access employment. You can easily find them near you once reach here. Resume should be maximum 2 pages. You should start from entry level position. Rent is around 1000 for 1BHK and 1200 for 2BHK. Climatewise april to sept is the best time to move. Only thing you have to compete with students who come out of universities who are looking also for entry level positions. Winter time is not good for new comers especially from warm countries. But this time people try to stay in their jobs unless layoff. So less competition. This is my observation
GBJ

Hi GBJ,

Thanks for sharing your experience and congratulations on your first job Well deserved after the hard time !

Can you please share some more details of job hunting i.e websites you used ?

What is the rent in Toronto and monthly expanses ? What is the best month to shift permanently in Toronto ?

Thanks again

Q.

 

[madhusanthosh]

Dear All,
I want to share just my experience to motivate.
PER 25/05/2014
VO letter asking for more documents:28/10/2014
Received in my hand:23/01/2015(as they used ordinary mail and sent to my agent in Canada. So took long time)
sent all documents by deadline 27/01/2015.
Long waiting finally got final letter of approval on 09/04/2015 and ECAS updated.
Received visa with passports on 18/06/2015.
Landed on 03/10/2015. Processing at the Toronto airport was freindly.
Stayed at uncles house for few days. Then moved to rented appartment. Did all formalities of bank account health card etc.
A friend told about a picking job in a ware house like Amazon. Just for beginning I went for one month. So it helped me not to touch fund I brought and I learned a great lesson. It gave me a shocking treatment from how I was working relaxing free time environment in my previous place where hours are not counted. In my first job in Canada I walked almost 40km in the warehouse in 10 hour shift by evening so tired. Work environment was not friendly. I am an accountant. I met with an minor accident that pulled me out of that job taught me a lesson of how important it is to get a job in my profession and how aggressive I should be to get a job. I started my real hunting. I started interview calls. Started going for interviews. By attending interviews found my weak points. Tried to build up on those points. I found for new comers so called agencies are useless. You apply through websites which you will find through google. Due to off season of year end I had to wait. But I got an interview call from an accounting firm on 11/01/2015 and got selected. Now I have a permanent job for 5 years. If you have further questions please send message.

GBJ

Nice write up.... I am currently in India and completed technical round with IBM. I have received a mail from HR about the salary expectation. What is the best quote can I give as this would be my first job in Canada? Also, the job location is Florenceville in New Brunswick. Do you have any idea on this province as I have to shift with my wife and 3 year old kid? Wikepedia and google says it is small town with less population. How good and suitable it would be for an immigrant? Please advice.

 

[Muhammad Shoaib]

Dear All,
I want to share just my experience to motivate.
PER 25/05/2014
VO letter asking for more documents:28/10/2014
Received in my hand:23/01/2015(as they used ordinary mail and sent to my agent in Canada. So took long time)
sent all documents by deadline 27/01/2015.
Long waiting finally got final letter of approval on 09/04/2015 and ECAS updated.
Received visa with passports on 18/06/2015.
Landed on 03/10/2015. Processing at the Toronto airport was freindly.
Stayed at uncles house for few days. Then moved to rented appartment. Did all formalities of bank account health card etc.
A friend told about a picking job in a ware house like Amazon. Just for beginning I went for one month. So it helped me not to touch fund I brought and I learned a great lesson. It gave me a shocking treatment from how I was working relaxing free time environment in my previous place where hours are not counted. In my first job in Canada I walked almost 40km in the warehouse in 10 hour shift by evening so tired. Work environment was not friendly. I am an accountant. I met with an minor accident that pulled me out of that job taught me a lesson of how important it is to get a job in my profession and how aggressive I should be to get a job. I started my real hunting. I started interview calls. Started going for interviews. By attending interviews found my weak points. Tried to build up on those points. I found for new comers so called agencies are useless. You apply through websites which you will find through google. Due to off season of year end I had to wait. But I got an interview call from an accounting firm on 11/01/2015 and got selected. Now I have a permanent job for 5 years. If you have further questions please send message.

GBJ

Hello GRABERJAN,

Do you have any facebook ID or gmail ID or whatsapp where I can contact you?
I am from Pakistan with similar profession.

I am planning to land in May 2016.

Regards,

Muhammad Shoaib

 

[GRABERJAN]

If you are able to adapt to any culture or people then there will be no issues. I can not suggest any salary as I do not know anything about that place or your job
thanks

Nice write up.... I am currently in India and completed technical round with IBM. I have received a mail from HR about the salary expectation. What is the best quote can I give as this would be my first job in Canada? Also, the job location is Florenceville in New Brunswick. Do you have any idea on this province as I have to shift with my wife and 3 year old kid? Wikepedia and google says it is small town with less population. How good and suitable it would be for an immigrant? Please advice.

 

[alok4best]

Hi Madhu,
it depends a lot on years of experience and location. Toronto and around have higher paying jobs. but Toronto is damn costly, specially downtown. The avg pay in IT for a non managerial position would be in range of 60-70K. I guess rather than you saying an amount, you could ask them for a considerable offer. Just tell them that this will be your first time in Canada, so you do not have a good idea of wages. This way you will be safe from short selling yourself. Being a small town means you will save a lot on rent, vehicle insurance etc. However, do not take up a job below 60-65K a year.

 

[Aragorn165]

In your experience, are the government and immigration employment and resettlement agencies helpful in a job hunt?

 

[alok4best]

In your experience, are the government and immigration employment and resettlement agencies helpful in a job hunt?

No, they do not help in job hunt. Even if you approach some agency, they will redirect you to job posting websites etc, which you can do yourself.

 

[Aragorn165]

No, they do not help in job hunt. Even if you approach some agency, they will redirect you to job posting websites etc, which you can do yourself.

I see. That's a shame haha, I really thought the agencies listed in the Welcome to Canada help book would be useful!

 

[GRABERJAN]

There might be some contradictions. But so called agencies are interested only in local candidates. They help new immigrants who came as skilled workers whose skills are valued at zero they say you have to go again to university 3 or 4 years. They are interested in offering you following jobs.
I am not against any job. But they don't know the pain and struggle some one went through to get here after many years of study, experience and immigration process. Not the same profession. Just entry level!!! It seems they get fund from Govt for new candidates but focus is on local candidates. I had a bad experience with one agency. I went to an agency for my first time. They gave me one form to fill. I found it is wrtitten they gave me one month training on 'facing interviews and job hunting'. Insisted me to sign on the form. I told but this is my first time how can I sign without you giving me class. They said ok right away we are going to give. One month's course they pulled a computer with earphone for me with a cd of instruction how to face interview which we can easily find in youtube trying to give me in 1 hour to get my signature. I felt I am wasting my time. I jumped out of the seat went to reception. There another form where I have to comment my experience with agency!! Can you imagine. I said I want my registration with the agency to be cancelled they refused said they already delivered service to me have to send form to Govt.!!!!!!

Position Details:
Delivery Driver - Part Time ( 20-30 hours Per Week)
Location: Scarborough Area
Pay: $14/hr
Hours: Mon - Sat (8am – 5pm)


Position Requirements:

Ø G Licensed Driver – Able to drive a 5 ton truck with no airbrake and picking up donated goods
Ø Loading and unloading the truck using a pump truck and also by hand
Ø Must have steel toe shoes/boots
Ø Light to heavy lifting Required - Able to lift 30 – 60 lbs.
Ø Consistently lifting and bending
Ø Must handle goods with care to ensure that nothing gets damaged
Ø Able to work in a fast pace environment
Ø Strong English communications skills both written and verbal
Ø Willing to pick up donated goods from residential areas and drop them off at distribution centers
Ø Must have previous delivery driving experience


...................................


McDonald’s is looking to hire Heavy Duty Cleaners for Early Morning and Late Night shifts in various locations.

Duties will consist of moderate lifting and heavy duty, deep cleaning including scrubbing floors. The position requires mature individuals with the physical ability to perform duties including but not limited to those listed above.

If you feel you have the physical ability to fit the requirements of this job and are available during the required times, please send your resumes to name at email as soon as possible.

I see. That's a shame haha, I really thought the agencies listed in the Welcome to Canada help book would be useful!

 

[Aragorn165]

Yikes! Seems like it is bad. Best rely on my own judgement, then!

Do you think that part time jobs done right upon immigration are a good way to build up a list of references and contacts who can make other parts of the experience, such as getting a place to stay, or getting a proper full time job later, easier?

Thanks for sharing your experience

 

[GRABERJAN]

Yikes! Seems like it is bad. Best rely on my own judgement, then!

Do you think that part time jobs done right upon immigration are a good way to build up a list of references and contacts who can make other parts of the experience, such as getting a place to stay, or getting a proper full time job later, easier?

Thanks for sharing your experience

I would suggest first you settle in some where you can find job easily. Then hunt for job.