OK, I feel up to answering this today, I'll answer just for me as my fiancee luckily had a job here before he came-

What is your current occupation in Canada?

My first job was as a kennel hand/dog groomer, I now start a new job on monday of,not sure of exact title-doing a bit of purchasing, inventory, so I'll say Gopher!

Which province do you live in?

Alberta, Edmonton

How long did it take you to find your first job?

First Job nearly 5 months, left that one at xmas, start new one this monday.

Was it in the area of choice or did you have to get something different to fill in while job hunting?

First one, NO, it was just a fill in, I grabbed the first thing I was offered.

When you got that job you wanted, was the salary better, worse or about what you anticipated?

The salary I am or will be getting is 2 quid less an hour than I was getting in the UK but my grocery shopping here is much less so I will be better off(maybe shouldn't have gone to M&S!)

Did you find you were able to progress in your job (ie be promoted) or has your job remained stagnant?

First job, I was promised if I bought grooming tools(cost me $1000)she would teach me the trade, never happened, I bought the tools, she showed me bugger all, kept telling me to speak properly(although her customers had no problem with me)so I finally decided to leave, she then referred to me as 'you people'!

How many days holiday do you get?

Not sure yet, will answer at a later date, with first job you could have as many as you wanted(unpaid), plus she sent you home if things were quiet, I think a lot of places do that.

Do you get annual pay rises? (May sound like an odd question but my hubby hasn't had a pay rise for 3 and a half years in the U.S. )

I got a payrise in my first job of 50cents after 3 months, I have been promised a pay rise in my next job after 3 months but I dont know how much, she has admitted she is starting me off on a lower rate than normal till she find out if I'm crap or not!

Would you do things different if you could begin the process of emigrating and job hunting again?

Yes, I would still have immigrated but I would have researched the job requirements more and maybe done some courses in the UK especially computer ones.

What advice would you give to newcomers?

Be prepared, things are not easy, dont expect to get handed it on a plate,it is just problem after problem, no credit history/rating, re-sit driving test, dont know anyone, you just spend money to start with, thats us been here a year and I know I still dont feel 'settled' maybe once I'm happy at work it will help.
Oh and try not to land in January like we did, its friggin freezing and I was too scared to drive till the snow went!

How long have you lived in Canada?

I year and 2 weeks

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I'm hoping this will be helpful to those preparing to take the plunge. Good points and bad points accepted but please, no nasty language or picking on those who have had a harder time than others!! :lecture: [/QUOTE]

Ok - I'm posting a message here just to push my topic out of the bowels of the 3rd page and plonk it right above everyone else's - just 'cos I can! Phew, I feel better now!!

Hi We are thinking the same as you but i have just followed someone else’s link to find this it my some encouragement (maybe) :-

Jobs Going Unfilled

"Small business survey finds 265,000 unfilled jobs across Canada."
- Canadian Federation of Independent Business, April 2003

All Provinces Need Workers

"Vacancy rate estimates suggest that there are considerable numbers of jobs available in every province."
- Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 2002

Increased Competition for Skilled Workers

"Strong economic conditions, coupled with the effects of an aging work force, are setting the stage for increased competition for talent in Canada's labour market"
- Director of the Conference Board's Compensation Research Centre

1,000,000 Worker Shortages Expected

"Canada could experience a one million worker shortage by the year 2020, but for some sectors, shortages already exist."
- Conference Board of Canada

Future of Canadian Business Depends on Finding More Skilled Workers

"Jobs are there and they will be there in the future, if businesses can stay in business. And that hinges on having enough skilled people."
- Toronto Star, February 2003

560,000 New jobs in 2002 - Employment Numbers Best Ever

"Fact: From January to December 2002, employment jumped 560,000 (3.7%). At the end of the year, the proportion of the working-age population employed was 62.4%, the highest on record."
- Statistics Canada Perspectives, Spring 2003

Shortage of Qualified Labour in Strong Canadian Economy

"26% of businesses in a recent survey said they have at least one vacant job open because they are unable to find people with suitable skills. Two thirds of those vacancies had been unfilled for more than four months. Small business is continuing to create jobs at a phenomenal rate, […] the shortage of qualified labour may actually worsen as the economy strengthens."
- Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 2002


What is making me think twice is I have sent out loads of emails with my CV attached and to date no replies (my field is transport refrigeration and air conditioning) but I will keep going
Martin & Angie

Get used to that. It`s an old favourite over here. Unless you`ve got the job they won`t reply. Even if you have been interviewed but don`t get the job, they won`t call you back to tell you.

No reply means you haven`t got the job. Try following up on a job, half the time the person you want to speak to is not available, or it`s some other excuse.

Emails ~ I live in Canada, and jobs advertise to contact by fax or email, and as I don`t have fax at home I email them. In all the emails I have sent, which must be close on 60 or 70 (spending an age writing a cover letter for each) not one has the politeness to reply, or at least say thankyou. Nothing.

You need to know someone, that`s the all important thing. It`s tough for someone moving over here on their own and doesn`t know anyone.

Is it a CV or is it a Resume. Canadian employers are expecting a resume and cover letter. Trust me, a CV is not the same as a Resume.

Iain

Also - if you are faxing or emailing - change your format to LETTER size (not A4)

Clare