debbie2801

Hi, my husband and I moved here getting on for six months ago and silly me...........I thought that I'd be able to access a job relatively ok..........but although I am a national nurse educator in the UK, I don't want to go through the exam process here and go back to clinical work but would like to continue working in healthcare, occupational health or health & safety. So far it seems that I don't warrant a response for any job, receptionist, administrator, working in continuing care etc. Would love to hear from others who are also struggling to find work here with any pointers - or anyone who may fancy starting a business, any ideas good - anything to ward off frustration and resentment and avoid moaning as hate that!! Thanks

DandNHill

I feel for you. It can be stressful... My suggestion? Join any networking groups you can. Whether it's toastmasters, WI or whatever appeals...

It's so much about who you know rather than what you know over here...
I live down in Yarmouth and I have too much work and have been approached twice about jobs that were never advertised...

Hope this doesn't sound like a gloat... just sharing my experience

jericho

A lot of the women/mums around Fall River are always talking about the need for a coffee shop with kids play area.
They seem to think there's a big gap in the market.

smitp11

There was an independent coffee shop recently in Fall River, it was in the dentists opposite the Rec Centre, however it closed down. I guess once all those mums saw the prices they headed back to Tim's....

allycat231

Sackville needs a British Pub!!!

Former Lancastrian

So open one then.

allycat231

I had the same problem when I first came to Halifax. I had over 23 years experince in the military and commercial trucking, but i could not get an interview after sending out 50+ resumes!!

I was so desperate i nearly took a job in Fort McMurray, i was fortunate to land a job with Canadian Blood Services, after a friend of a friend put in a good word for me.

Maybe your resume needs tweaking and try to make it more "Canadian".

Say in your resume that you have nursing experince, just dont say 'where', leave that to the interview?

debbie2801

Thanks for the replies and suggestions all - have tweaked my resume...'s so many times that they are now unrecognisable from the English versions! Have also removed many qualifications that wouldn't transfer so think that I've sort of done the best I can now. Will just keep handing them out, sending them off into the ether (as rarely would anyone reply) and hope finally to come up trumps at some point.

Have thought about the options of opening something myself and with regulation being much less restrictive here than in the UK, that might be a goer - but at some point in the future when funds allow. Good job that you didn't have to move Allycat, and funnily enough I did ask in the blood service when I went in there to be turned away from giving blood - another thing I was surprised by. Thankfully, my husband has had a job from the start - it's just me that needs to find my place. I just never anticipated that it would be difficult but am conscious that it's not easy for Canadians so why would it be for me?!

Will take on the suggestion re making more contacts, thanks DandNHill and have already made some inroads - so will keep fingers crossed until something good comes along............

Howefamily

It CAN be very hard here, the working world can seem like a closed door sometimes particularly if you have anything specialised. And its not just NS, I am working in Montreal currently and people with skills - doctors etc often dont get jobs as their qualifications just arent recognized here (makes me SO cross, how different can a body be?? and they give you a visa if you have a skill - go figure!)

I was lucky but my hubby is struggling to find a job that anything like what his profession is.

Be thankful that one of you has a job and network like crazy. good luck!

debbie2801

Many thanks Howefamily and I mirror your comments. The positions I'm applying for now are so diverse and really nothing like what I'm 'good at'! But here's hoping.

Good luck to your husband and your family, let's hope that we all have some better news soon...........

rockspie

Not sure if you already have but take a look at the `ISIS` (Immigrant settlement services) website. We are still in the UK but have been doing online workshops with them. I have just completed a job seeking workshop and it is really quite good, It helps you to lean how to start looking for a job to resumes/cover letters to what to say when contacting ppl. Theres loads of different workshops.

As you are already in NS then you will be able to do some workshops in person.

It is very helpful and ive learnt a lot only now im actually scared to put it in to paractice lol

Hope this helps x

JB0591

Have you been to your local employment help centre, here they are sponsored by the province....anyway the point I am trying to make is maybe take a resume course or get them to review your resume.

Your resume should be different to your UK one, and it should be change for each job you apply for....might take some work to do that but tailoring is one key to success.

Pit Bull.

Well I live near Halifax in West Yorkshire and its really grim on the jobs front, I know that doesn't help you, I just saw Halifax' and I like how other countries have our names. Best of luck.

Cookie

On a cover letter (or directly on your resume) always make sure that you add you can legally work in Canada (PR/WP). A potential employer may presume that you are looking for a sponsor and very few companies want to get into all that paperwork.

Also network, network, network. It's often who you know that will at least get you an interview. The rest is up to you.

Good luck

Deeny

Hi,

Are there any volunteer opportunities?
I started volunteering while waiting for the CNO assessment ( nurse in UK). I have had great fun and met some lovely people. It has also led to some supply work, training to add to my resume and, hopefully, some long term employment (It has proven impossible to continue nursing here).

Good luck!