Searching for Jobs (sorry if you are not supposed to post this here:) )

[SaugaBoss]

I am not sure if i should post this question here but....

Did any of you guys who are close to the end start looking for jobs or anyone in the process looking for jobs?

Is it hard if you are not from Canada!!

Just curiousssssssss

 

[sbwv09]

It depends on the field and where you are going to live in Canada. For example, I am a certified teacher, but there is a huge surplus of teachers in my area right now, so when I can work I know I will just have to go into another field, at least for awhile. I think a lot of people have to start out doing something else and work their way into the field they want.. unless they can afford to live on one income for awhile. It's not easy for people with no Canadian work experience, unless you are in a very high demand field.

I'm not particularly close to the 'end' that I know of, but for the past year or so I have been looking into jobs to see the kind of things that are out there and what is required. I've even put out some resumes on the off chance that someone would be interested in me at some point.. I figure it doesn't hurt!

If you are in Canada waiting it out, you can also do volunteer work in your field to get some experience that way. As long as it is not a position that is 'taking' a job from a Canadian and as long as you aren't paid, you can volunteer.

 

[SaugaBoss]

It depends on the field and where you are going to live in Canada. For example, I am a certified teacher, but there is a huge surplus of teachers in my area right now, so when I can work I know I will just have to go into another field, at least for awhile. I think a lot of people have to start out doing something else and work their way into the field they want.. unless they can afford to live on one income for awhile. It's not easy for people with no Canadian work experience, unless you are in a very high demand field.

I'm not particularly close to the 'end' that I know of, but for the past year or so I have been looking into jobs to see the kind of things that are out there and what is required. I've even put out some resumes on the off chance that someone would be interested in me at some point.. I figure it doesn't hurt!

If you are in Canada waiting it out, you can also do volunteer work in your field to get some experience that way. As long as it is not a position that is 'taking' a job from a Canadian and as long as you aren't paid, you can volunteer.

Yes that's the thing that is discouraging... having no work experience in Canada. I am a Financial Analyst ...graduated in 2009 with BS in Finance and BS in Business Management


wish u the best of luck with your job search! i was thinking of going to canada and interviewing with people explaining that i will be able to work soon

 

[AllisonVSC]

It depends on the field and where you are going to live in Canada. For example, I am a certified teacher, but there is a huge surplus of teachers in my area right now, so when I can work I know I will just have to go into another field, at least for awhile. I think a lot of people have to start out doing something else and work their way into the field they want.. unless they can afford to live on one income for awhile. It's not easy for people with no Canadian work experience, unless you are in a very high demand field.

I'm not particularly close to the 'end' that I know of, but for the past year or so I have been looking into jobs to see the kind of things that are out there and what is required. I've even put out some resumes on the off chance that someone would be interested in me at some point.. I figure it doesn't hurt!

If you are in Canada waiting it out, you can also do volunteer work in your field to get some experience that way. As long as it is not a position that is 'taking' a job from a Canadian and as long as you aren't paid, you can volunteer.

Hey, have you thought about having your credentials assessed/certified whatever they call it while you're waiting? Allison

http://www.oct.ca/IET/countries/countries_u/united_states/united_states.aspx?lang=en-CA

 

[HoneyBird]

i am currently having my credential assessed by the University of Toronto.
its pretty expensive, so prepare to have like 300 cad (can't remember the exact amount)
if you go the normal processing time, it take about 2 months.
if you go through the fast processing time, it takes about 1 week and then you pay 200 cAD more!
so i took the longer option as my pr has not been processed as yet.
now there are several places that you can get your credentials assessed.
i choose University of the Toronto because its brand name and a top university so i felt that employers would be more inclined to believe the assessment.
that being said, they do not assess you based on your experience.
i already know what my weaknesses are...namely i am in hr but i have no clue as to HR leglisation plus there is a professional hr body which has alot of requirements. so my thing is, wait for the assessment and then figure out the back the school and getting started to get into the professional body.

btw does anyone know of any good sites to redo a resume canadian style?
i have been preparing a portfolio of sorts..i have recommendations, letters from all my old employers, all my certificates, etc.

i would really appreciate anything info re: websites to post resumes, organisations to go too and sign up and so forth.

 

[confusednscared]

i am currently having my credential assessed by the University of Toronto.
its pretty expensive, so prepare to have like 300 cad (can't remember the exact amount)
if you go the normal processing time, it take about 2 months.
if you go through the fast processing time, it takes about 1 week and then you pay 200 cAD more!
so i took the longer option as my pr has not been processed as yet.
now there are several places that you can get your credentials assessed.
i choose University of the Toronto because its brand name and a top university so i felt that employers would be more inclined to believe the assessment.
that being said, they do not assess you based on your experience.
i already know what my weaknesses are...namely i am in hr but i have no clue as to HR leglisation plus there is a professional hr body which has alot of requirements. so my thing is, wait for the assessment and then figure out the back the school and getting started to get into the professional body.

btw does anyone know of any good sites to redo a resume canadian style?
i have been preparing a portfolio of sorts..i have recommendations, letters from all my old employers, all my certificates, etc.

i would really appreciate anything info re: websites to post resumes, organisations to go too and sign up and so forth.

monster.ca
workopolis.ca

Go to any top Cdn university website and visit their career page. You will be able to find resources to help with creating a proper resume and cover letter, etc.

 

[HoneyBird]

thanks confused..hope your holiday was good! :-*

 

[sogwap]

For many of us it comes down to priorities.

A year ago I left a good job, family, and familiarity to marry my new Canadian bride. My bride has a small child and could not move to the States because her Canadian father (who ironically is originally from the States) would never permit taking the child to the States other than to visit.

Being unemployed nearly broke our new marriage. In that I am unable to support my new family. Not to mention it wiped out all my savings....

I find it sad that immigration makes it illegal us to work to support our families and to be productive members in our new communities. But then expects us as new immigrants to work and support the system! Please if someone can explain this illogic please explain. Also why does immigration discriminates against families this way. That and the separation of so many new families especially those from none visa exempt countries.

 

[SaugaBoss]

sooo we have to convert our credentials to see if they match up to the canadian standards?? even if your from the US?

@sogwap i totally understand where u r coming from

 

[AllisonVSC]

sooo we have to convert our credentials to see if they match up to the canadian standards?? even if your from the US?

If you are intending to be employed in a field that requires certification the answer is yes! If you have a university degree and it is a job requirement then the answer seems to be probably yes even if you are from the US. (Remember that recent article in the news about the English PhDs and university professors from the US who were required to take the English language proficiency tests!). There are a number of credentialing services available and they all seem to run a least a couple hundred dollars. They require your actual diploma, a transcript (usually sent directly to them by your university...you can't show up with one in hand), and proof of name change if your name doesn't match your diploma (i. e. you got married, divorced). I have a flyer from World Education Services (www.wes.org/ca) that charges only $115 for all your academic degrees and diplomas and gives the Canadian equivalent within 7 days of receiving all required documents. I haven't used a service yet as I am waiting for a duplicate diploma (my ex probably has mine) and proof of my name change.

As for the Canadian style resume help try a Google search for "Services for new Canadian immigrants" plus your city and province. I found several in my area that offer free courses on writing resumes and cover letters, cold calling and other job search tips as well as language instruction courses for new immigrants. Places I found were called JobStart, Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services, the Newcomer Center of Peel, and the Center for Education and Training.

My research thus far leads me to believe that these orgs are geared more towards immigrants from 2nd and 3rd world countries and immigrants for whom English is a second language. They seemed not quite sure how to help me at the JobStart center, though to be honest they had just the day before changed their programming (mandated by the govt) and didn't really seem to know what the new regulated services were, but the guy who interviewed me did give me some great leads on where to look for jobs in my area and called me later after we met to suggest changes to my current resume.

One last thing, I have also been using www.jobbank.gc.ca to search job postings. This site is operated by Service Canada and is searchable by location, job category etc. If you are looking for an IT job, drive trucks, forklift operator or other warehouse type position, nannies and receptionists there are lots of postings. Also a lot of placement agencies use this site to post jobs. I am not sure where you can use this site to apply for jobs if your application is still in process, but they do have over 50,000 jobs listed on the site so it might be worth taking a look.

Okay, I thought of one more last thing. There are agencies here that offer "bridges to employment" type opportunities which are basically internship placements and some have a mentoring component as well. Career Bridge is one that I know of and I believe it is geared towards engineers. They help immigrants get paid internships in companies which helps them get real Canadian work experience and networking opportunities with others in similar fields. Some of the programs are unpaid placements but you can still get the benefit of the connections, the experience, and probably a local reference as well.

I hope that helps. I am really, really struggling with the whole finding a job thing. It is my one last hurdle to settling here and fortunately my partner can afford to carry us so that I don't have to take a "survival job." The whole process here is so geared towards using networks to find positions (in a "hidden job market") which makes it more difficult for a newcomer to find an appropriate position.
Allison

 

[sbwv09]

It's pretty absurd.. I mean, knowing the right people will help you in the US, but in teaching at least, it comes down to who has the most experience and higher level of education. It's the law that those guidelines are enforced for teacher hiring. I know many fields are like that.. but here, it looks like that teachers without a Masters or experience will get a job before I do just because they have connections.

You think that a country that boasts that it is built upon immigrants wouldn't have their job market so closed off. Then again, maybe that's the point.. good jobs for Canadians only and everyone else gets to work at the mall

 

[can_usa_97]

Wow, very interesting thread!
My husband had no trobule coming from CA to USA to work.

 

[jancath410]

Yes that's the thing that is discouraging... having no work experience in Canada. I am a Financial Analyst ...graduated in 2009 with BS in Finance and BS in Business Management


wish u the best of luck with your job search! i was thinking of going to canada and interviewing with people explaining that i will be able to work soon

If you are interested in banking you should consider obtaining your Mutual Fund license as this will look good on your resume. I am a Canadian citizen and I work for one of the banks here and I know that that is what they are looking for. You may have to start at a low position such as a teller (customer service representative) but the banks have mostly openings for those kind of position.

 

[sogwap]

Then again, maybe that's the point.. good jobs for Canadians only and everyone else gets to work at the mall

That's part of my frustration....
I moved from the States and left a good professional job in the IT sector. Which does not require special licensing or recertification. If I went back to the states I could get a clerks job (ie work in the mall or minimum wage at McDonald's). However since I've been here a year now waiting for immigration, it's illegal.

 

[SaugaBoss]

If you are interested in banking you should consider obtaining your Mutual Fund license as this will look good on your resume. I am a Canadian citizen and I work for one of the banks here and I know that that is what they are looking for. You may have to start at a low position such as a teller (customer service representative) but the banks have mostly openings for those kind of position.

i am interested in banking... a lot of people told me that in canada u have to start from the bottom but no way will i be a teller again i was a telller wayyyy back like 6 years ago for 3 years, i am not into financial advisor position either so dont know why i would need a license.