Sparrow Clan

Hi everyone,

Hope you are all having a great week! (I am looking forward to the long weekend!)

I have an IEC visa which I plan to activate later this year/early 2015. I will be staying in Hamilton, Ontario. My plan is to live there forever! So finding a stable and long term job is what I am looking for.

I have been an Office Manager/PA for almost 10 years. I currently work for a huge construction company 'Vinci Construction' (but not huge enough that I could transfer to Canada still working for them! - Although I am aware there is s 'Vinci Park' - Valet service out there!).

I was wondering if you could recommend agencies/companies that I can approach. Perhaps before I fly out and/or once I arrive?

I have registered with Randstad.ca. But I would like to increase my chances by registering with as many sites/agencies as I can!

Although I will be living in Hamilton I wouldn't mind the commute to Toronto or the surrounding area. Toronto seems like the place I would find the admin work I am looking for?!

What do you think? Has anyone had any luck with getting similar work?

Any help & advice is appreciated

Thank you!

Sparrow

DandNHill

Just did a google search and there are tons of agencies in Toronto, think you will be spoilt for choice.
When you contact them I would try to be specific about when you are moving over otherwise they won't take you seriously as you are not an asset they can bank on.

Good luck with the move

christmasoompa

*paging Siouxie, would Siouxie come to the forum please*.

DandNHill

Is Siouxie a recruitment consultant?

christmasoompa

Why the unsure face?

No, she's not a recruitment consultant but has been there, done that, and got the t-shirt. Siouxie had been looking for similar work in the same area over the past year or two, so I'm sure she'll have some good advice (and possibly contacts) for the OP.

DandNHill

Oh I see. Only unsure because didn't know whether she was or not... There are lots of ads in the papers and many recruitment agencies so it shouldn't be difficult to find something even if to start with it's not perfect.

christmasoompa

That's why I'm hoping Siouxie posts, I know that she's applied for a heck of a lot of jobs over the past goodness only knows how many months (possibly even years), and only just recently managed to find something! So I'm not sure it will be that easy for the OP actually, but hopefully Siouxie will give some advice based on her experiences.

Siouxie

Hello Sparrow

I, too, worked in the UK as an office manager and had held executive positions for more than 20 years prior to coming to Canada. I also live in the Hamilton area.

I think you will struggle to gain employment in this field around this area, unless you are prepared to work in Toronto and even then you may find it very difficult. Canadians love diploma's and certification (recent) and without them you will be lucky to even get an interview. The competition for these positions is fierce, every college is churning out newly qualified and certified administrative assistants/officers and whatever experience we had in the UK really counts for nothing. It's like starting from scratch, all over again.

All I can suggest is that you ensure your resume is 'Canadianised' and perhaps register with some temp agencies. Be prepared to go in and do tests for up to 6 hours!

List of employment agencies (placement or staffing agencies) List of Best Employment Agencies in Hamilton ON

PeopleStore - Staffing Solutions Inc
http://ca.livejobs.recruitadvantage....TOKEN=27172473
Search Jobs in Canada, find the perfect job - Hunt Synergie
Find a Job in Canada, Job Board Canada

Provided the OP goes to Toronto, possibly. However, a Canadian woman I know who has all the certification you can imagine and over 20 years experience in similar positions struggled to find a job even there. It took around 9 months before she was employed, despite applying for every job going that she was qualified to do.

You are right christmasoompa, I applied for literally hundreds of jobs in the Hamilton area and secured 2 interviews in total. Prior to coming to Canada I had always been interviewed for any job I applied for and been offered the job, so this was a huge shock.

2 years on I still am not employed in office management / executive PA nor indeed ANY kind of office job and have given up. I now work as a remote freelancer for a UK company.

Shirtback

+1 to Siouxsie's post.

We've talked about this before on other threads; I have a similar background, & substantial "Canadian experience".

I've been "decent" job-hunting for nigh on 2 years. I'm surviving on part-time on-call receptionist & freelance remote work (based on being lucky enough to have a second language). If I were able to move to a major city, I'd probably find something full-time.

S

DandNHill

Oh wow, that's stressful... I am on EI right now as I followed my husband out of Province and have been applying for all sorts of jobs... I even have my resume on indeed.ca and the only people who approach me are insurance related... they're all based so far away that for the moment it is not practical...
Fingers crossed I find a job before the money runs out

Siouxie

I had my resume on workopolis, indeed, monster, jobbank, several temp/employment agencies, hospital groups, colleges and universities, City HR, Government employment services and just about every reasonably large corporation within the area.

Didn't do me one bit of good.

I wish you luck and I hope you manage to find something suitable soon!

If you even thought of becoming self employed, look into OSEB, you can participate if you have been on EI or maternity benefits at any point in the past 3 years and you are paid for 9.5 months while you build your business. http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/employe...mployment.html for Barrie - http://businessenterprise.ca/sea/

DandNHill

Wow, thank you for that, most definitely worth considering. Where I am living it's all manufacturing jobs and I can't see myself on an assembly line...

beckiwoo

I don't mean to be negative but it would a good idea to have a back up plan just in case you can't stay in Canada. I'm looking at staying as well but have put things in place just in case I have to return

withabix

Small world - I worked for Vinci for about 9 years, but back in the Norwest Holst days.

My wife worked for them as an Office Manager until early 2013 as well.

She's wondering if she knows you! She says PM me and tell me who you are...

Apart from running a few car parks, Vinci do own a few construction companies over here actually:

VINCI Locations: Canada

dishwashing

+1 to Siouxie

Canadians looooveeee their titles and letters. It's bloody ridiculous but hey this is the reality

Good luck with the searches, guys.