Applying for work
 

Hi all

Im currently trying to find employment within canada for a position within IT or GIS. Im sort of new of how to apply but here is what i have done.

Went onto the National Occupational Classification to check if my work experiences applied to whats available on there. Found a few that matched

Then went to the job bank and searched for jobs, found a few and applied for them. How long do Canadian employers take to reply back?

For those that might have information, are there any shortages in Canada for persons with Computer and GIS skills?? I really dont mind applying all over Canada. Would i need to do anything extra to convert my qualifications to canadian standard?? Also do Canadian employers only employ persons from abroad if they have a degree?? I have certifications at university level. But not degree.

Any information would be helpfull

Re: Applying for work
 

Hi there DragonBritt,

Suggest you read this thread on IT jobs in Canada.

I believe dbd33, who lives in Toronto, would be of use to you, but I think he's swanning his way around the UK at the moment. Still, he has popped in here from time to time even while he's been on holiday.

Anyway, relevant people probably will respond to you in due course.

All the best.

Re: Applying for work
 

GIS: govenment is huge on GIS right now, also forestry, mining, minerals, and enviromental-impacted sectors hiring like crazy, Aboriginal Goverments are using GIS for their programs, land management, etc, lots of management programs and suchlike propooed up by tax dollars, pine beetle crisis, water management, etc. You prolly know all of that being in GIS field anyway ? But the reality is there, they're hiring, and at decent money too.

So the reality of getting a job from the UK...hmm pretty tough. You need an element of luck linking up with a suitable and willing employer. Search the forum for relevant posts. Send a resume, not a CV, on letter-sized paper, not A4, format - PDF it, preferably. Use Canadianized lingo, check MS Word spellchecker but proof to avoid Americanisms. Strip out all personal data, canadians don't incldue this on a resume. etc etc yadaa yadda. Read up on the provincial PNP schemes and work permit route, make like you could talk to an employer about what they'd need to do, dispel some of the myths. Knowledge = power and projects confidence etc.

But with GIS, I think you have an advantage, from my own research.

http://www.gisjobs.com/classifieds/search.jsp

Good luck young Jedi, the force may it be with you.

Rich.

Re: Applying for work
 

Thanx for the replies guys, well i have done some research and on job bank i did find a few vacancies in GIS. I know its very difficult finding IT jobs anywhere in the world. But the thing is at Uni i got a certification in Computer Science not GIS would that matter if i apply for GIS jobs? However i do have certificiations in GIS ie, Cadcorp, and others to follow such as ESRI ArcGIS and MapInfo. I have been in the GIS field for over a year. But i did submit my resume as A4 (oops) last week to an employer. Would that matter? And as for the format of the resume i went on a website that had candian resume samples and followed the same procedure. Canada being a large country i would have thought it would be easier to get a job their than in UK, but reading threads it seems its complicated. So im kind of stuck as to what my next step should be, ie, take more certifications in GIS?? How about the CCNA or MSCE and microsoft and cisco certifications?? Though im still currently working within the GIS field.

Re: Applying for work
 

I would say it both matters and doesn't matter. It matters because it's less than ideal to submit a resume that's formatted for A4. It doesn't matter because an employer is unlikely to be willing to wait for you to get out here from the UK.

It depends how you define size. The UK has over 60 million people, while Canada's population is just approaching 33 million.

Sorry, I can't help you with that.

How far along are you in the process? Have you gone to Citizenship and Immigration Canada's website and figured out the differences amongst permanent residence (PR), work permit (WP) and provincial nominee program (PNP)? Have you calculated (from the self-assessment tool available on CIC's website) how many points you would earn if you submitted a PR application?

Re: Applying for work
 

IMHO (and I'm no expert) that's what I have seen advertized out in BC.

You need to get talking to employers, why not contact the GIS product vendors in Canada and ask their advice....despite the cost and time difference, get on the phone and speak to these people, same with employers, mailed/emailed resume's get binned. Speak to a real person = real name = real contact = networking.

And as Judy says find out about work permit/PNP routes. 12 months relevant experience is required, you have that. The resat is down to luck and perseverance in finding an opening, you may no be choosy, it may be in Iqaluit, Nowheresville, etc, etc.

Rich.

Rich.

Re: Applying for work
 

I have now converted my resume to letter format. Well what i mean is that i thought if you have a bigger country with a smaller population you have more of a chance to get a job than a smaller country with a larger population hence the competition gets tougher.
I have calculated fromthe CIC website and passed. Well i would like eventually receive a permanent residence in Canada, but would i not need a work permit first. Is it better to actually come to Canada and live there then apply for jobs or to apply for jobs before going to Canada?? I can understand that employing soemone thats at a different country is much more difficult than employing someone localy. So im just thinking is it better to actually go there and then search for jobs, would that give me better chances?


The thing is i dont know who to contact to get info on whether they need GIS analysts in Canada. I could contact GIS product vendors but will they tell me if there is a demand for them in Canada?? I dont have a actual preference as to which part of Canada, so i wouldnt mind applying for all. possibly maybe 2 options ahead of me either keep applying until an employer emplyes me or travel to Canada and apply there? But of course if i do travel to Canada ill make sure i have enough finance.

Any ideas appreciated

Re: Applying for work
 

You may luck if you approach consultancies.

A start would be the Association of Consulting Engineers in Canada website here:
http://www.acec.ca/en/home.html

If you click on "member firms" at the top of the page, you can then search, using the "Surveying and Mapping" industry sector and then the "GIS" sub category.

A bit laborious but it will bring you up a huge list of firms (you can sort by province if you have a preference) and then you can trundle through all their job pages and see what emerges.

Good luck!
Flossie

Re: Applying for work
 

Cheers for that .. its quite useful looking for companies dealing with GIS.

Does anyone know if its any use to these firms that check your resume, i was wondering if i was to pay for them to check the resume, i suppose they could see if my resume is as how the canadian resume should be??

Re: Applying for work
 

Well that's a good start.

No, you do not need a work permit first. You can start out by applying for permanent residence. However, because skilled worker permanent residence applications are taking four years and more, some people are coming to Canada on work permits first. Although work permits give you only temporary access to Canada, the process of getting them usually is much shorter. Furthermore, once you have a WP under your belt, you can apply for PR. As I understand it, PR applications of WP holders are fast tracked.

But do be aware that WPs are not without their hazards. They usually are granted with conditions attached. For example, one condition might be that the WP is valid for as long as you are working for a specific employer. If your relationship with that employer is severed for any reason, your WP goes up in smoke. Oh, and by the way, in order for you to get a WP in the first place, the employer has to demonstrate that they have tried unsuccessfully to find a Canadian resident for the position. That usually means they have to have advertised the position without receiving responses from suitably qualified applicants, etc.

You are not allowed to do that. People do come to Canada on reconaissance trips, and they do research job possibilities while they're here. In fact such a trip often is very helpful in familiarising a person with conditions on the ground. However, you are not supposed to hunt for a job if you visit Canada as a tourist. So if you do come to Canada on holiday (or on vacation as Canadians would say), do not breathe a word about job hunting to the immigration official at your port of entry.

If you e-mail your resume to me, I'd be willing to give you some suggestions for free. I had an administrative job at a firm of head hunters many moons ago. I have edited dozens of resumes in my time.

Re: Applying for work
 

Hi there, fellow GIS'er! (I did my degree in GIS a while ago, but moved into generic IT project management). In terms of demand for skills, I think Rich007 is right on the money - look to the provincial governments as they have a big usage of GIS. I can only speak for BC, but there is a big push to recruit external applicants to BC gov now (and as of this week, ALL BC Gov jobs have to be advertised to external applicants also - no more 'in-service' positions allowed).

With regards to your situation, you have three main options: apply for PR and sit and wait in England for 4 years or so until it comes through; look to secure a job in Canada, and from that get a work permit or (even better) PNP - this will require you finding an employer who is willing to sponsor you; or thirdly (and only if you are under 35) get a Bunac visa and then move to Canada and find a job (or if you're lucky get one before you move out here - employers are more likely to consider you if you already can legally work) - the visa will enable you to work for anyone, so you can get a foot in the door and are then more likely to get PNP/work permit.

Good luck!

Re: Applying for work
 

Good point about a BUNAC visa, Escapea. Being a middle aged myself, I keep on forgetting that that is a possibility for younger folk.

Re: Applying for work
 

Wow thanx for the replies very helpful. I was thinking if i was to look for jobs in more rural areas lets say outside cities, now would that increase my chances of getting a job ?? from what i have heard most Canadians work within major cities for better job prospects, so there is a demand within rural areas??? Im not sure about this but maybe someone can explain.

Right and are their vacancies advertised on job banks, or other specific sites?

Im 24 so the BUNAC is probably another thing i could consider. And Judy thanx alot i appreciate any advice you can give on my resume.