Moving to Kitchener-Waterloo 2020: Opinions

[ZAtoCD]

Hi all! I hope everyone's 2020 is going well so far.

I've been debating where to move to later this year, once my PR is done. I thought perhaps some of you wise folk could offer me some advice.

I just want to preface by saying that I don't really mind things like weather, activities/entertainment, etc. at this point. I'm more concerned about finding work in my field (and affording housing). I can figure the rest out, or resettle, at a later stage.

Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge-Guelph-Hamilton vs Edmonton/Calgary

As you can see, after much research online, I'm trying to decide between the Kitchener region of Ontario or moving to one of the major Albertan cities. These are my options as they seem sizable, but don't have the extravagant property prices of the likes of Toronto or Vancouver. I know there would be more jobs in the Mississauga/Toronto area, but property prices are insane.

I have 4 years of full-time marketing experience, as well as a business science master's degree. In my field, as a marketing coordinator/specialist/assistant, I can fortunately work at a variety of companies in various industries. I could also work as an administrative assistant, executive assistant, office manager, etc.
So, that's my summary.

Which would you recommend for ease of finding work? Kitchener area or one of the Alberta cities? Or somewhere I've not yet considered?

 

[canuck78]

Hi all! I hope everyone's 2020 is going well so far.

I've been debating where to move to later this year, once my PR is done. I thought perhaps some of you wise folk could offer me some advice.

I just want to preface by saying that I don't really mind things like weather, activities/entertainment, etc. at this point. I'm more concerned about finding work in my field (and affording housing). I can figure the rest out, or resettle, at a later stage.

Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge-Guelph-Hamilton vs Edmonton/Calgary

As you can see, after much research online, I'm trying to decide between the Kitchener region of Ontario or moving to one of the major Albertan cities. These are my options as they seem sizable, but don't have the extravagant property prices of the likes of Toronto or Vancouver. I know there would be more jobs in the Mississauga/Toronto area, but property prices are insane.

I have 4 years of full-time marketing experience, as well as a business science master's degree. In my field, as a marketing coordinator/specialist/assistant, I can fortunately work at a variety of companies in various industries. I could also work as an administrative assistant, executive assistant, office manager, etc.
So, that's my summary.

Which would you recommend for ease of finding work? Kitchener area or one of the Alberta cities? Or somewhere I've not yet considered?

I would not decide on a city to move to and would land in Canada and apply all over the place. Would discourage Calgary for various reasons. KW is a good option but as I say to new graduates, young people and new Canadians you should remain flexible and go where the good opportunities are versus locking yourself into a city and perhaps struggling to find work. These days most initial interviews are done by Skype so you can easily apply all over Canada.

 

[ZAtoCD]

I would not decide on a city to move to and would land in Canada and apply all over the place. Would discourage Calgary for various reasons. KW is a good option but as I say to new graduates, young people and new Canadians you should remain flexible and go where the good opportunities are versus locking yourself into a city and perhaps struggling to find work. These days most initial interviews are done by Skype so you can easily apply all over Canada.

Thanks so much for your insights! Very helpful.

So, I'm assuming you'd say avoid Edmonton as well as Calgary? Because of the fluctuating Albertan economy.

KW seems like a sweet spot, as the property prices aren't at the level of Toronto.

Would you recommend I try applying for jobs while I'm still overseas? If companies are willing to do Skype interviews initially, maybe I can save some money by not moving yet, and looking for work from overseas for a while. I could just tell each company I'd be willing to relocate to their neighborhood if they employ me (which is the truth - I don't mind). Or is that not worth trying?

 

[canuck78]

Thanks so much for your insights! Very helpful.

So, I'm assuming you'd say avoid Edmonton as well as Calgary? Because of the fluctuating Albertan economy.

KW seems like a sweet spot, as the property prices aren't at the level of Toronto.

Would you recommend I try applying for jobs while I'm still overseas? If companies are willing to do Skype interviews initially, maybe I can save some money by not moving yet, and looking for work from overseas for a while. I could just tell each company I'd be willing to relocate to their neighborhood if they employ me (which is the truth - I don't mind). Or is that not worth trying?

No I wouldn’t rule out Edmonton all together. KW is really focused on IT jobs. Most companies will not reply to you without PR and a Canadian address and phone number unless they are looking for skills that are in demand. Marketing jobs tend to be very competitive to get into because there are always more applicants than candidates. Not sure what kind of opportunities you will find in either Edmonton or KW. Your desire to live an affordable city doesn’t necessary match up with your desire to work in marketing.

 

[ZAtoCD]

No I wouldn’t rule out Edmonton all together. KW is really focused on IT jobs. Most companies will not reply to you without PR and a Canadian address and phone number unless they are looking for skills that are in demand. Marketing jobs tend to be very competitive to get into because there are always more applicants than candidates. Not sure what kind of opportunities you will find in either Edmonton or KW. Your desire to live an affordable city doesn’t necessary match up with your desire to work in marketing.

Perhaps just applying in both areas would be beneficial. I would definitely have PR already, and I could get a Canadian number, so it would just be a matter of trying to get interviews without a Canadian address. Hopefully the idea that I could hop on a plane and be there in a day would be enough to get some interest and remote interviews?

Ah, so, you're saying most of my kinds of jobs would be centralized in places like Toronto and Vancouver? Perhaps Calgary, being high on the large cities list, would be a better option for a junior marketer.

 

[canuck78]

Perhaps just applying in both areas would be beneficial. I would definitely have PR already, and I could get a Canadian number, so it would just be a matter of trying to get interviews without a Canadian address. Hopefully the idea that I could hop on a plane and be there in a day would be enough to get some interest and remote interviews?

Ah, so, you're saying most of my kinds of jobs would be centralized in places like Toronto and Vancouver? Perhaps Calgary, being high on the large cities list, would be a better option for a junior marketer.

would avoid Calgary due to higher unemployment and many still underemployed if they stayed in Calgary. All depends on what kind of marketing you want to do. Marketing jobs are mainly concentrated in a city like Toronto. Those are where many of the larger companies are who have marketing budgets are located and the marketing agencies are to service the companies. As I said marketing is a popular subject to study but there aren’t enough jobs for all those interested in working in the industry. If you speak French Montreal may also be an option. Would try to create the best website/portfolio possible or the catchiest thing to try and get a job. Resumes are usually not enough for something like marketing.

 

[ZAtoCD]

would avoid Calgary due to higher unemployment and many still underemployed if they stayed in Calgary. All depends on what kind of marketing you want to do. Marketing jobs are mainly concentrated in a city like Toronto. Those are where many of the larger companies are who have marketing budgets are located and the marketing agencies are to service the companies. As I said marketing is a popular subject to study but there aren’t enough jobs for all those interested in working in the industry. If you speak French Montreal may also be an option. Would try to create the best website/portfolio possible or the catchiest thing to try and get a job. Resumes are usually not enough for something like marketing.

Fair enough. I do have a website that I built, so that could help. And I've kept my LinkedIn up-to-date over the years. Do you know where I can find out if my resume matches Canadian standards/formats?

I wouldn't mind living in Toronto - it seems like a wonderful city. It's just the cost of rent and buying a home seems completely out of proportion to the salaries. Especially in my industry. Or am I overthinking things?

 

[canuck78]

Fair enough. I do have a website that I built, so that could help. And I've kept my LinkedIn up-to-date over the years. Do you know where I can find out if my resume matches Canadian standards/formats?

I wouldn't mind living in Toronto - it seems like a wonderful city. It's just the cost of rent and buying a home seems completely out of proportion to the salaries. Especially in my industry. Or am I overthinking things?

Resume formats are available all over the place just google. When trying to get noticed in a creative industry having a website or other form of eye catching tool would be something I would consider. Assume you are looking to work for a marketing agency or one of the big multinationals. The trade-off when it comes to better paying and more interesting/challenging jobs in marketing they tend to be in the GTA, Montreal or Vancouver. Unless you are bilingual Montreal would not be a great choice for marketing jobs. Everyone is facing the high housing costs. Perhaps you should expand the type of jobs you are looking for. Maybe there are some public sector jobs you may consider. Other jobs in the private sector. There may not be a lot of opportunity for marketing jobs in less expensive markets or jobs that don’t fit the typical marketing job. perhaps more like digital promotions or social media manager. With all jobs that aren’t regulated you need to try and remain flexible unless you are well known in your industry and people want to hire you because of your reputation in the industry.

 

[ZAtoCD]

Resume formats are available all over the place just google. When trying to get noticed in a creative industry having a website or other form of eye catching tool would be something I would consider. Assume you are looking to work for a marketing agency or one of the big multinationals. The trade-off when it comes to better paying and more interesting/challenging jobs in marketing they tend to be in the GTA, Montreal or Vancouver. Unless you are bilingual Montreal would not be a great choice for marketing jobs. Everyone is facing the high housing costs. Perhaps you should expand the type of jobs you are looking for. Maybe there are some public sector jobs you may consider. Other jobs in the private sector. There may not be a lot of opportunity for marketing jobs in less expensive markets or jobs that don’t fit the typical marketing job. perhaps more like digital promotions or social media manager. With all jobs that aren’t regulated you need to try and remain flexible unless you are well known in your industry and people want to hire you because of your reputation in the industry.

Thanks! Oh, I would definitely be open to branching out into other areas of work. I just happen to have been on this path up to now, as I had to choose something. And I've enjoyed it, and gained some good experience. Are you referring to looking into other office-type jobs like administrative assistant and executive assistant, office manager, reception work, etc? Or are there other public and private sector jobs that aren't regulated that you think I should consider?

 

[canuck78]

Thanks! Oh, I would definitely be open to branching out into other areas of work. I just happen to have been on this path up to now, as I had to choose something. And I've enjoyed it, and gained some good experience. Are you referring to looking into other office-type jobs like administrative assistant and executive assistant, office manager, reception work, etc? Or are there other public and private sector jobs that aren't regulated that you think I should consider?

Less and less purely reception/secretary type jobs. Whether it is municipal, provinces or federal governments there are tons of departments that have jobs that are mostly not related to the type of education someone has and are purely administration roles of some sort.

 

[ZAtoCD]

Less and less purely reception/secretary type jobs. Whether it is municipal, provinces or federal governments there are tons of departments that have jobs that are mostly not related to the type of education someone has and are purely administration roles of some sort.

I'd be perfectly fine with that. I studied business/commerce, after all, not pure marketing, so that's still in line. And you think for those kinds of jobs my experience in marketing roles would be recognized? Private and public hirers.

 

[canuck78]

I'd be perfectly fine with that. I studied business/commerce, after all, not pure marketing, so that's still in line. And you think for those kinds of jobs my experience in marketing roles would be recognized? Private and public hirers.

you will have to look at the requirement for each job.