nooka

Oh, and I'd also bear in mind that although there are still shortages in many areas of IT many companies (including where I work) have recruitment freezes at the moment. That means they may be looking for shorter term contract work in specialist areas, but they aren't offering anything permanent. I'd really not want to move out without a permanent offer on the table (even though if you come the TWP route it needs to be a temporary offer, you want to know there is a permanent position for you).

We use SI systems for our IT recruitment if that's helpful.

Paul_Shepherd

Thats interesting, in modern terms do you think Canada is poorer than the UK then? taking into account the massive debt the UK now has around her neck?

Alberta_Rose

I don't know about computing, but you'll need to look at the licensing requirements for an optometrist, which will vary from province to province.

I may be stating the bleedin' obvious, but these things can be overlooked, and she might have some hurdles to jump that you'd not thought about.

These sites should help:
http://www.optometrists.bc.ca/code/navigate.aspx?Id=1
http://www.optometrists.ab.ca/

Dave+Jules

The same thought ran through my mind.

NatsnSid

Hi.

I arrived with no job after leaving a major computer company in the UK (BC PNP via my Husband). My then bosses thankfully emailed the Victoria version of himself and asked them to keep me in mind for the future "should anything arise".

When I arrived I was hopeful this would be fruitful, however there was a hiring block on which lasted a year. I kept in touch with the contact and emailed now and again to say hi.

Luckily for me I remembered to email them again when I moved and hit the jackpot as they were looking to add to the team. The team in Victoria is pretty small - most of the people are in Montreal/USA etc with everyone working from home. (I concur with a previous poster ref self-employed - I am going to be self-employed but you work your rate out adding in the benefits etc and put by for eventualities etc...you can claim alot back on Tax etc too).

My advice is to get contacts from as many IT vendors you know in the UK (for people out here or over this way). If you are lucky enough to get some then keep in touch with them - the odd email here and there.

I thought I'd find work no problem but it took me 3 months to get someone to even talk to me. I was getting pretty fed up with not getting shortlisted/interviews and eventually asked one manager, i'd applied for a job with, why I wasn't selected (I thought it was my resume) - he replied to say that I was over qualified for the position - I didn't know what to do about that! The next job I applied for was a local Gutter company (I applied for everything locally not necessarily to do with my skill set....and yes even Timmies!!) I personally took my Resume in and spoke directly with the hirer, got home and emailed him thanking him for his time and he thankfully gave me a shot (at a low wage to begin with but I was grateful to earn!). (I felt that I was going OTT but finding work out here is completely different to the UK -Also whilst I was there another 2 people turned up to do the same so its the way to go - especially if you are going to apply for jobs in a more rural area).

Just as an aside.....they lady who has just taken over from me said one of the other jobs she had applied for had over 200 applicants!

So contacts are key....be prepared to network to find them...this will take time. Joining in local groups/activities helps to meet people, new contacts, their contacts blah blah....so some groundwork back home plus getting yourself out there may all help.

Good luck

Nats

The other thing you could do is start your own business...

Oink

Yes, I do. The UK as a country is massively successful – We're hosting the Summer Olympics, we host the world’s most illustrious golf tournament, tennis tournament and football league. We're one of the world’s largest economies and a major player on the political stage. That said, you’d think from listening to some people constantly saying how s***e the place has become that England had gone to the dogs – that’s kind of frightening.

Seedubs

I am (or will be) in the same position of the OP, although I am not so shy as to my employment(CCNA/Network+), I work in the Network Security/Cryptography area in the defence/aerospace/military industry, therefore requiring vetting (DV).

Problem is, working in an area that requires vetting (here in the UK) you can use that as an asset, giving you an additional skill, therefore wages are higher, as compared to a normal network engineer working outside of the defence industry. Sometimes the difference can be as much as 15k a year.

Simply put, you are going to be down that much when you move over there, I would not expect you to be able to move over into a vetted job within Canada, unless..... you already work for a company over here, like GD or Lockheed Martin etc.

My approach, and my advice to you, is to use the spouse to get PR (mine will be a nurse) and then try and get a job over here first and then try and transfer over.

dbd33

Being vetted, "carded" as they call it in the US, can be valuable; I know that some of the work we get would not come to us had we not gone through the process. I would imagine that having had a security clearance in the UK would help somewhat here ("here" meaning in Canada but gaining clearance for the US Defense Department. I don't think there's enough Canadian government work to make it worth the trouble). It's tedious and expensive though, $40,000 for me some years ago, and there are onsite audits to see that you really have cameras trained on the staff at all times and really do have the approved combination locks on all cabinets.

Paul_Shepherd

I do agree with what you are saying, the UK is far from a bad place to live, but sadly I dont think its the country it once was, and now following this recession and the amount of debt the banks have saddled the UK with through the government having to bail them out. I wonder how much longer the UK can maintain its current status, the only thing I can see are higher taxes and reduced public spending, but then Ive spoken to many people who see Canada that way too...maybe it is a case of better the devil you know?

fish.01

On a purely GDP/PPP per capita basis (discounting sports events) Canada has been the wealthier country for a while.

Alan2005

Fixed for you.

Want2Move

Would you mind sharing what you do and how many years of experience you have in that field? Any certifications/degrees in the field?

I am looking for a job in IT area too (Business Analyst/System Analyst) and have a few years of experience in that filed, but no certifications.

Does anybody know the future of SAP financial or Oracle Financial in Canada? I am thinking about getting certified in one of those before I move to Alberta in July 2010. Thanks and sorry to hijack your thread OP.

fish.01

Thanks Interested...why change GDP to mean "less indebted"?

Alan2005

I changed wealthier to less indebted.

GDP is only positive in Canada (and the US, and the UK when it eventually gets there) because of all the tax income brought forward from the future and spent now. GDP should really be calculated net of the increase in government debt.

johnh009

[QUOTE=G77;8184386]MCSE and CCNA are obviously recognised - think carefully how you can describe your secret squirrel work to them though, putting "I can't tell you" or turning up to an interview and saying "I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you" just won't wash..../QUOTE]

And to add to that, what's top secret in Canada anyway? Perhaps the movement of the submarines in Edmonton Mall?