Question about Employment after Landing

[prcanada2012]

Hi everyone!

I have received my PR visa recently and planning to move to Canada soon. I am aware of a lot of useful info about Canadian PR experiences within this forum. But I am writing to get input for a more personalized situation (well, it may not be very personal, after all). As I am planning and preparing for my landing, I will appreciate your suggestions/input, ideas, comments about the following.

My primary concern soon after landing would be finding a job (as would be anyone's, I suppose). I am not coming with the baggage of prejudice and am mentally prepared that I will have to struggle initially to find employment. I have a Ph.D. and an M.A. from a pretty decent university in the U.S. I also have another M.A. from my home country. My area of specialization is English language teaching/applied linguistics/English in general. I have spent about 6+ years in the U.S. as I earned my degrees here. Now that I am excited about my life in Canada, I am also trying to figure out possible job options when I will land.

I do not have a lot of savings--in fact, I may just be able to barely bring the minimum funds required for POF (even then, the bulk of it is borrowed from my in-laws and I will have to pay them back asap). I am quite flexible with my approach for finding an initial employment, i.e., I will be happy to work in the MacDonalds, or as a sales person or whatever comes my way before I can figure out a position in my field. I would like to know from you guys how hard will it be for me to find an odd job, say, in Toronto. My plan is to keep my POF money intact so that I can return it back to my relatives and if at all, spend from my own savings that I have for the initial days. I will be happy to be earning the bare minimum to survive with my family (we are a family of 3). As I said, I do not expect a position at a university or college rightaway, but will it be equally difficult to find an odd job so I can pay for my rent, utilities, grocery, etc.? I am a hard working person with a positive frame of mind and would accept whatever job comes my way.

Those who have experiences, could you please shed some light on how I can become successful in this initial stage/an effective way to find an employment?

Anyone? Thank you in advance.

MKR

 

[explorer101]

When you are prepared to work hard their is always a way. You will get survivor job and make attempt to get a job in your specialisation while doing survivor job. How to get a survivor job? Where ever you stay after landing, look for placement agencies around that place and contact them. With a fluent english you can get a job in customer care also. Call centres of rogers/ bell/ cogeco cable are always hiring.

 

[prcanada2012]

When you are prepared to work hard their is always a way. You will get survivor job and make attempt to get a job in your specialisation while doing survivor job. How to get a survivor job? Where ever you stay after landing, look for placement agencies around that place and contact them. With a fluent english you can get a job in customer care also. Call centres of rogers/ bell/ cogeco cable are always hiring.

Thanks, explorer101. I really appreciate your taking the time to write. The information you have provided is very helpful. I think my English is pretty decent--having received 2 graduate degrees in the U.S., spent time as a TA for several years, making presentations at large international conferences, and so forth. I'd be happy to work in the call centers--but I have read in this forum that Canadian companies expect "Canadian experiences"--how do you think that may affect my chances at initial stages and how can I best address it?

Thanks much again.

MKR

 

[rawaljignesh82]

Thanks, explorer101. I really appreciate your taking the time to write. The information you have provided is very helpful. I think my English is pretty decent--having received 2 graduate degrees in the U.S., spent time as a TA for several years, making presentations at large international conferences, and so forth. I'd be happy to work in the call centers--but I have read in this forum that Canadian companies expect "Canadian experiences"--how do you think that may affect my chances at initial stages and how can I best address it?

Thanks much again.

MKR

You can go in any country , they requires " their " experiences. Survival Job is not a big deal but some people gets in one week and some of them takes up to 6 month to find. I suggest don't think of getting job right now. just land in to Canada and try your best.
Defo you will find a job at right time.


Good luck

 

[2010 Jan]

PRCanada2012,

Before coming to Canada, you should have a clear mind set for why did you come to Canada. I mean your objective of coming to Canada with your PhD and double Masters. Another question I should ask myself if I were you would be "what is my target market for job search". English in Canada!!! :-* But how?

Get answers to these three questions first, why, what and how. Build some confidence. You will feel Canada only after you land here and experience it yourself. It is different than US. I spent 8 years in US, 2 years more than you. .

I am not trying to discourage you. You can definitely succeed, there is no doubt.

 

[prcanada2012]

PRCanada2012,

Before coming to Canada, you should have a clear mind set for why did you come to Canada. I mean your objective of coming to Canada with your PhD and double Masters. Another question I should ask myself if I were you would be "what is my target market for job search". English in Canada!!! :-* But how?

Get answers to these three questions first, why, what and how. Build some confidence. You will feel Canada only after you land here and experience it yourself. It is different than US. I spent 8 years in US, 2 years more than you. .

I am not trying to discourage you. You can definitely succeed, there is no doubt.

Hello,

Thank you for your wise words. Were you in the same academic field and had similar degrees? If so, if you could share your experiences, that would be very helpful. As you can imagine I do have clear goals in my mind and that's why I have taken the pain to go through the application process in the first place.

MKR

 

[bonny]

PRCanada2012,

Before coming to Canada, you should have a clear mind set for why did you come to Canada. I mean your objective of coming to Canada with your PhD and double Masters. Another question I should ask myself if I were you would be "what is my target market for job search". English in Canada!!! :-* But how?

Get answers to these three questions first, why, what and how. Build some confidence. You will feel Canada only after you land here and experience it yourself. It is different than US. I spent 8 years in US, 2 years more than you. .

I am not trying to discourage you. You can definitely succeed, there is no doubt.

Good points; like prcadana I'd also be interested to know your experiences in finding employments.

Bonny

 

[2010 Jan]

I am not in your field. I am in Oil and Gas.

I appreciate that you have clear goals but sometimes we set goals keeping many things constant, hope you did not do that as reality is different and things won't happen as desired.

You need to prepare yourself before applying for any jobs. Watch youtube videos on behaviour based interviews. You need to research a lot about the company before you go for an interview. Lots of things follow afterwards, it is all about reading the mind of the interviewer. You can succeed, believe in yourself.

I am not sure on what type of job you can fit into with your degrees in English. Teaching at University may be some linguistic courses would be a good choice but takes time, I may not be true as I absolutely do not know anything about your field. If you were thinking of teaching English to Canadian that would be a real challenge as you are coming to English speaking country unlike Dutch or Spanish.

 

[prcanada2012]

I am not in your field. I am in Oil and Gas.

I appreciate that you have clear goals but sometimes we set goals keeping many things constant, hope you did not do that as reality is different and things won't happen as desired.

You need to prepare yourself before applying for any jobs. Watch youtube videos on behaviour based interviews. You need to research a lot about the company before you go for an interview. Lots of things follow afterwards, it is all about reading the mind of the interviewer. You can succeed, believe in yourself.

I am not sure on what type of job you can fit into with your degrees in English. Teaching at University may be some linguistic courses would be a good choice but takes time, I may not be true as I absolutely do not know anything about your field. If you were thinking of teaching English to Canadian that would be a real challenge as you are coming to English speaking country unlike Dutch or Spanish.

Well, thanks for the suggestions--thankfully, I am already familiar with the behavior-based interview. But thanks. What I am a little worried about is that people (new immigrants) seem to struggle even to get an interview call. In my case, ironically, my PhD degree may disinterest many employers to call me for an interview--so it's complicated. I am happy to work in any/all positions, given the opportunity.

MkR

 

[2010 Jan]

It is good that you are aware of BBI, for many it is surprise when they first appear for interview.

This forum contains many things, inspiring and frustrating both. I think it is not necessary to get frustrated. You can always go back to your home country where you can have better life.

If you seek for inspirations, I am sure that you get a little. You and yourself are your main inspiration. See yourself and feel yourself, you will never quit. Regarding interviews, you will be called, make a nice resume. Focus on your target job. If you apply for any job, you will definitely end up with any job which will not be your choice but chance.

PhD, do not disclose your degree. It is your strength and I think there is always a right time and spot for demonstration.

 

[prcanada2012]

It is good that you are aware of BBI, for many it is surprise when they first appear for interview.

This forum contains many things, inspiring and frustrating both. I think it is not necessary to get frustrated. You can always go back to your home country where you can have better life.

If you seek for inspirations, I am sure that you get a little. You and yourself are your main inspiration. See yourself and feel yourself, you will never quit. Regarding interviews, you will be called, make a nice resume. Focus on your target job. If you apply for any job, you will definitely end up with any job which will not be your choice but chance.

PhD, do not disclose your degree. It is your strength and I think there is always a right time and spot for demonstration.

Thank you. Yes, this forum provides all sorts of information which I am happy to read. If nothing else, it at least makes me aware of things to expect. That said, everyone's case if unique. I am not sure if suppressing any info while applying for a job is such a good idea.

If there's anyone with any idea/in my field, I'd be very interested to learn about your experiences.

MKR

 

[vermas]

Suggest you prepare more than one resumes. One for the initial survival jobs, with no mention of PhD and other targeted onces with it. That's what I intend to do with my MBA.
Best wishes,

Thank you. Yes, this forum provides all sorts of information which I am happy to read. If nothing else, it at least makes me aware of things to expect. That said, everyone's case if unique. I am not sure if suppressing any info while applying for a job is such a good idea.

If there's anyone with any idea/in my field, I'd be very interested to learn about your experiences.

MKR

 

[prcanada2012]

Suggest you prepare more than one resumes. One for the initial survival jobs, with no mention of PhD and other targeted onces with it. That's what I intend to do with my MBA.
Best wishes,

Thanks, Vermas. Have you decided which city would your POE be? Also, could you please share what target jobs you have in mind for initial days.

MKR

 

[SinghLovCan]

To tell you the truth, if your doing well in your home country then dont come to Canada. As for your bigshot degrees. Degrees will not help you get a job, you have to be skilled in some kind of activity.

Even ppl with Canadian degrees work in McDonalds. Its hard to get by in this country and with minimum POF, no relatives or job, it will be very hard. So my suggestion sit back and dont come here, unless you are really suffering in your home country.


Toronto is the WORST place to settle down right now in Canada. A better option will be Saskatoon, SK. It has the lowest unenployment rate.

 

[prcanada2012]

To tell you the truth, if your doing well in your home country then dont come to Canada. As for your bigshot degrees. Degrees will not help you get a job, you have to be skilled in some kind of activity.

Even ppl with Canadian degrees work in McDonalds. Its hard to get by in this country and with minimum POF, no relatives or job, it will be very hard. So my suggestion sit back and dont come here, unless you are really suffering in your home country.


Toronto is the WORST place to settle down right now in Canada. A better option will be Saskatoon, SK. It has the lowest unenployment rate.

Hi! Thanks for your comments/suggestions. Going by your timeline, it appears that you haven't landed yet. I am curious how you got the info--is it by your research or you have visited/lived in Canada? I often read very depressing stories about job situation in Canada, but I also read the positive ones. Personally I am a positive person and I always believe that hard work always pays off.

MKR