JOB HUNTING ADVICES...

Canada Immigration Forum (discussion group)


 
       
Subject: JOB HUNTING ADVICES...
  Hello everyone... I thought we could try to start a thread where people can give their BEST advice on how to go about getting that ever so desirable job in Canada (from abroad)...

As some of you may know... I am in the queue waiting to hear the results of my FSW application... and even though I always knew a job was the a big advantage in the application process, I was never able to approach job searching in a positive way... I can see listings of jobs in the many websites available... but ... I don´t know the best way to approach the potential employers from so far away!...

I know many of you may have useful suggestions for the rest of us...

thank you for participating...




[20-07-2008,13:22]
[***.229.236.245]
Lily
(in reply to: JOB HUNTING ADVICES...)
have a look at this excellent resource

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Category:Job_Hunting-Canada

[20-07-2008,17:10]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon
(in reply to: JOB HUNTING ADVICES...)
Hi Lily:

My best advice: perseverance and patience. It took us a year and a half (on and off) of job searching from the US (after getting our PRs) until we landed a job. Lots of late nights, lots of resume updating, lots of CV revisions, lots and lots of frustration and worrying, until finally the right interview with the right job in the right place came along.

We relied on websites such as monster.ca, regional sites like careerbeacon.ca (for the east coast), and especially on individual company websites for job openings.

Learn as much as you can about the job you are applying for; go to the company website and use key words in your resume and cover letter--often they are electronically searched and won´t come up as a potential match if certain words aren´t present.

We didn´t find that trying to make human contact worked very well (like trying to call HR offices); usually we´d just end up with an answering machine and no one to return a call. We also didn´t find that it mattered if we used Canadian spelling vs US spelling, so we gave up on that. It felt forced and weird, since we´re not there yet.

If you have ANY contacts in Canada, use them. As in the US and probably everywhere else, who you know can be the key to landing a coveted position. Network if you can. Also, if you know someone, consider using their Canadian address in addition to your current one. We did find that it helped quite a bit, even though it was obvious that we are still living and working in the US. We made it clear in interviews that we use the provided Canadian address for official Canadian business (such as receiving PR cards), but that they should contact you where you currently reside.

Maybe most importantly, make it super clear that you already have your Canadian permanent residency (after you get it, obviously) and are completely legal to work in Canada. You´ll want to get your SIN as soon as you get your PR, and state in your cover letter very clearly that you have that as well. Make certain every potential employer understands immediately that they don´t have to go through any red tape to get you to Canada, or to get you legal. You are 100% legal and ready to go. This should be stated in the first paragraph of your cover letter.

Hope this helps!
Wishing you the best of luck in your search!

[20-07-2008,22:03]
[**.72.64.243]
wannbecanadian
(in reply to: JOB HUNTING ADVICES...)
Thanks wannabecanadian... great tips... I´ll keep on trying...

Thanks Sharon, I´ve visited that link... they have great information in that forum...

To everyone else... keep your comments and suggestions coming ... not only for me but for everyone trying to get a job in Canada...

Thanks!

[21-07-2008,05:58]
[***.229.236.216]
Lily
JOB HUNTING ADVICES... (in reply to: JOB HUNTING ADVICES...)
hi wannbecanadian. your suggestions are good but i think lily is interested in job hunting into canada FROM ABROAD.

i think you got your job in canada only after you got your canadian permanent residence. which implies that canadian employers are not interested in hiring applicants from abroad.

in reality, does a non-canadian-pr stand a chance to get an offer from a canadian employer? how will the job interview be conducted?


[21-07-2008,06:54]
[***.234.0.5]
tanya321
(in reply to: JOB HUNTING ADVICES...)
Tanya321:
We also conducted our job search from out of country (US), not in Canada. I thought I made that clear.

It is very difficult to get a position without PR, which Lily is currently waiting for. My impression is that she is getting close, and is wisely making plans for her next steps once she is approved.

It is very difficult to get a job without permanent residency, although certainly people do manage it. There is a lot of red tape that employers must go through, including proving that there are no Canadian citizens or PRs who are capable of doing the job. If your career is high demand, probably you stand a better chance of that. Perhaps there are people here who have experience with that situation.

Our experience was that it was difficult to even get employers to consider us for positions--no matter how qualified we were--simply because we were not yet in Canada. From an employer and HR standpoint we understand, but it was very frustrating. Again, we did notice that using a Canadian address (in addition to our current US address) seemed to help.


[21-07-2008,08:51]
[**.72.64.243]
wannbecanadian
(in reply to: JOB HUNTING ADVICES...)
"If you have ANY contacts in Canada, use them. As in the US and probably everywhere else, who you know can be the key to landing a coveted position. Network if you can. Also, if you know someone, consider using their Canadian address in addition to your current one" - This is the key for job search in Canada.

"Networking" is the key to success, initially it is almost a must. That´s why even some official voices say that 80% of our jobs are hidden.

If you use US address or overseas in job search then most likely your resume will be screened out in before even considering for an interview unless the company is in dire need. Not only Canadian address, try to use an address for the same province where you are applying. Like job in Alberta, usa an Edmonton or Calgary adress, job in Toronto..use at least an Ontario address. It will boost your chance by many many times. Then you´ll be considered as if you are already in Canada like all landed PRs. If you are considered farther for the jobs then you may clarify and make arrangements about your joining date. Employers don´t mind with that. Biggest challenge is to talk with the employers. If you can overcome that, then you are many miles ahead.

I´m not sure about "Maybe most importantly, make it super clear that you already have your Canadian permanent residency (after you get it, obviously) and are completely legal to work in Canada." To me it sounds redundant may make the cover letter lenghty.

Unlike the US employers, if you use a CANADIAN ADDRESS then employers by default assume your work authorization in Canada. I worked in 2 different companies in Toronto, not a single company even asked me to show by PR status or any work authorization, I was just asked to give a compy of my Drivers license and SIN no. at the day of joining.

[21-07-2008,14:22]
[***.254.208.246]
DC
(in reply to: JOB HUNTING ADVICES...)
We found that many employers aren´t necessarily clear about what "permanent residency" means, so by taking away their opportunity to pass us over because they didn´t understand, we had better luck by making it clear that it means we are legal and able to work immediately, nothing further needed by them. It made a HUGE difference for us, but of course, everyone has their own experiences.

Using a Canadian address seemed to have a similar effect; in essence, assuring employers that we had ties to Canada and aren´t just random foreigners applying for positions.

[21-07-2008,14:36]
[**.72.64.243]
wannbecanadian
Job Club and Volunteering (in reply to: JOB HUNTING ADVICES...)
Once you arrive in Canada, I would advice you to take part in a job club. They help you "Canadianise" your resume, give you lots of tips on cold calling, how to get a job in a similar field by transferring your skills, even do mock interviews with you. Above all they give you excellent tips on how to look for a job in Canada. I also suggest that you immediately start volunteering in your field. This gives one the Canadian experience that one lacks. The organisation you volunteer for would be also ready to give you a reference letter, etc;
[21-07-2008,19:10]
[**.157.136.53]
Sophie
(in reply to: JOB HUNTING ADVICES...)
Thank you all for the replies... I will certainly look into those job clubs if I have a chance Sophie... I will also love to volunteer if I can...

I will talk to my friend and see if I can use her parents address in Alberta... I will also try to prepare a list of possible employers in or around the area where I am hoping to go...

I will keep on trying... but getting a job from so far away seems like such a mammoth task!

Thanks again! :O)



[22-07-2008,12:28]
[***.229.242.52]
Lily
Reply to the JOB HUNTING ADVICES... posting
Submission Code (SX31581) Copy The Code From The Left found in the brackets
Name
Email
Reply Subject
Reply Message


Canada Immigration | Forever Living Products in Canada