To anyone who has AIP or recently landed- how is the job search going?

[Deutschbug]

Hi,

We people in the Inland 2011 thread who are still waiting wonder a lot how people are doing who got AIP or PR already after applying as a sponsored spouse.

If anyone of you is still out there, please share your experiences. Have you found a job already? Was it difficult to get a foot in the door? Do you feel you are treated equally to Canadian citizens now? If you applied with an OWP, was it considered as good as being a PR? Do you enjoy the Canadian work life? How is your life generally going now that you're officially landed?

I'm so curious!

 

[robrod]

Hi!.
Landed in November, 2010.
It all depends on your skills, on what you can bring to the table.
There are few jobs you won't get unless you are a citizen. As long as you speak english (or french) and with your immigration documents, you are all set.
The key will be to somehow gain experience and get employment history. But everyone has to start somewhere.
Best of luck with completing your sponsorship process to begin with.

 

[Deutschbug]

Thanks for answering! It seems like most people leave this forum for good once they get AIP/landed...

Personally, I've been living in Canada for almost 4 years already, working in academia- but my jobs were all LMO exempt. I didn't have much luck applying for other positions- I think they mostly filter you right out if they realize you're not a PR. I had two job interviews for jobs that would have required an LMO, and both times I was told that they would love to hire me, but I ended up not getting the job regardless because the employer didn't want to jump through the hoops to apply for the LMO and thought they would most likely not get it anyway (and both times, the job wasn't advertised according to the LMO rules beforehand, and would have needed to be re-advertised). I have a feeling it's completely pointless to apply for jobs that are not posted in the Jobbank unless you have an OWP or PR- I really hope this changes once I finally get my OWP.

Ultimately, I'd love to work for the government, either provincial or federal, but I hear that even though PRs are eligible to apply for most positions, they still prefer citizens because "their easier to hire".

 

[robrod]

You are welcome!.

Indeed, once people land, they slowly start to write less and less and move on focusing with their new lives in this country. From my class (Inland 2010) I seldom read from my fellow inlanders. But you do develop personal relations with some of them and communicate with them not through this medium anymore but with your personal email or cel number instead...

I applied for an OWP once I got AIP and worked just fine with my first job.
Once I became landed later that year, my PR card and regular SIN did their magic with my second job in Canada. I work for the goverment and they didn't show preferance obvious to me towards citizens... we were all treated the same. Perhaps visible minorities (like they call people like me) have actually an advantage in some jobs that advertise no discrimination such as were I work but I'm sure it can have the reverse effect in some others.. it all depends on the company, I guess.

 

[Pummelchen]

Outland applicant hanging around in Edmonton without a job for one year. Worked 3 years before in England so guess my language and work skills should be OK in this country.

Problem is that no company wants me as soon as I talk about the LMO process. I got many interviews and a job offer once but while HR prepared the LMO application the boss hired a Canadian and I lost the job offer. The pay I got offered was $30.000 for an IT Manager position, such a joke !

On another interview the first question was: "Do you have all your papers ready ?" .. huh ? The LMO response takes 5 days, online work permit is 12 days now. Can't they wait 3 weeks ?

Another company said they paid lots for a head hunter to fill the position. Interview was great, but no job offer. They keep on looking to hire someone with a work permit even after I worked there one day to test my skills .. so stupid.

Friends offered to hire me as a contractor, but I cannot open my own business as a "tourist".
Got offered $300 cash/day on construction. I said I am happy with 200 or less only if I get a legal job offer. No interest ..

Tried trucking .. had a Class 1 at that time. Got nothing as my experience was not enough (Mountains/Ice) and they don't offer training. Whats the problem to give training for lower pay ?

In the Edmonton area people are really wanted, but nobody I met is willing to go through the LMO process. Canadians believe you are an illegal immigrant if you go to an interview without a work permit.

Never assumed people here are so closed minded. As an IT professional I work online now, no work permit needed, no SIN needed and I am no longer available for this silly "job market".