Seabird

I'm wondering whether my attempts to start networking with Canadian employers/future colleagues is being thwarted by lack of interest because I am overseas, overqualified, not needed or just going into Spam when an email arrives from a Gmail account sent from overseas. I haven't had a response even from the Health Authority!

Have tried the follow up emails of "can you please confirm you received my previous message" and even a third follow up on one occasion and nothing's coming back.

How do HR departments respond to follow up phone calls? Am I better to call and chat first? What are other's experiences?

I need to know if there'll be a basic demand in principle before going on the planned networking visit in the next few months.

I came to Canada 10 years ago and arranged numerous meetings to get a job off the ground. Different response rate but also Academic then and Universities are used to International contact unrelated to sponsoring employees to migrate.

I have networked with Canadian colleague here who tells me it's frantic out there - the market for my services is on a different level hence the desire to be away from big fish small pond syndrome so I can offer and learn a lot more. Maybe folk are just too busy, but firstly I could do with knowing if there are potential ether issues blocking emails that people know of before Skype calls becomes next best buddy!

Thanks in advance!

christmasoompa

I'd suggest you read the Job Hunting section of the Wiki, which has loads of tips and the general gist of which is don't even bother with email! You really need to pick up the phone.

HTH, good luck.

Seabird

Thanks, Skype it is! Will check that link, thanks.

Mikeypm

I'd try calling, soaking to someone rather than email works a treat. I used a combination of connecting through linkedin, followed by emails and I got a Canadian calling plan on Skype. I then set a date to visit Vancouver and made arrangements to meet people for the week I was there, I then ended up connecting with others through the people I'd already arranged to meet. I think in total in that short week I had 25 or more meetings. It worked as I have now been here just over 11 months and I am applying for permanent residence.

Where in Canada are you planning to go and I forget what is your field again as if I know anyone in my network I can put you in contact.

Seabird

Thanks Mikey,

Thanks for the interest and time in responding. I work in the environmental field, specialism in indoor air quality/mo(u)ld/water damage restoration but also cover the rest of the Environmental area and run a broad based team here.

What do you work in? Happy to PM my LinkedIn address if you are prepared to link up there.

Bit of a networking girl I admit, love talking to people even more about the work I love. I am trying to link up with folk on LinkedIn and planned exactly what you have done! Just got to find out who to ring! Missing the phone calling I think.

Also planning the Australian "reccie" to Canada to meet people. Was moving to Canada in 2004 before coming here and went for a visit/did a presentation and got a job offer, but it was with defence so wasn't able to take it without citizenship and have been downunder for almost 9 years ago.

Did you get a job offer from your visit to move over with or did you have to arrive and then apply? I have a nasty hunch that the Australian Government will charge me income tax if I work as a non-resident overseas, still got to work out what that means and if it may mean I need to get PR in the first instance.

Will keep you posted!

Mikeypm

I'm an insurance loss adjuster so work with a lot of restoration companies in BC, so if you fancy the west coast I can ask around. I'm more than happy got you to send me a PM. I had a few offers out of my visit an ducked what I fly was the best choice and yes that week got me a job. So it was dory the airfare.

Best advice I can offer is connect with the top brass,people lower down will just pass you to HR.

If you want to make it happen you can do it, one international firm wanted me to meet one of their big wigs in London so I took an overnight twin from Manchester to London for a coffee and a chat. I did a couple of Skype interviews all before my trip out to Canada.

Seabird

Sounds good thanks Mike.

Have worked here for Cunningham Lindsay and Crawfords Global. Lots of work comes through Health concerns. Gather BC has put mould exposure under employer duty if care. Think we're miles behind here at the minute. Trying to get people to do clearance unless it's for asbestos is hard work and reluctance is leaving owners, occupants, restorers and insurers and their adjusters at risk here. Don't think the actuaries know where to start and there's lots of re-insuring going on.


Going to start with Pinchin West as the work we both do looks like the product of convergent evolution! Looking at BC in part cos daughter is a fantastic digital artist and there are 5000 employees in Vancouver in the Games industry.

Will send a PM and let you have a look and see whether you think the work's there.

Thanks so much.

christmasoompa

Although from your previous thread, wouldn't she need to qualify for a visa on her own merits anyway? So it could be a while before she's able to go, and even then she'll probably just have to go wherever she can find work from an employer prepared to go through the cost/hassle of hiring her.

Tbh, I would go where you want to go rather than focusing your search based on her coming out to join you in Canada, in case she ends up at the other end of the country or can't get a visa.

Just a thought anyway, feel free to ignore it.

Seabird

Leaving her here wouldn't work either as she has no other family here. The move is in part to get us closer to the other kids in the UK but still have reasonable job prospects on our areas.

She'll need help for sure to get started and look at the options.