How bad is the work situation?
 

I'm currently in the U.K. but am Canadian. Just phoned a global well known secretarial agency who advised me they've no jobs available at the moment? Anybody who knows differently, please advise? I'm looking in Toronto..
and Thanks in advance :unsure:

Re: How bad is the work situation?
 

Hard to say. Are you specialised in anything?

Re: How bad is the work situation?
 

Usual admin, secretarial, P.A. Previous exp. local government, Ford, etc - happy to temp but surprised to hear this agency advise little work around. I'm very flexible & feel sure there must be something out there...especially as I am already Canadian. (Have a nasty habit of spending summers north of TO). :rofl:

Its just that I have to figure out whether to give up ultra secure job in U.K. that I don't enjoy to return to Canada

Re: How bad is the work situation?
 

You are aware that there is a recession in Canada at the moment, right?! ;)

Re: How bad is the work situation?
 

I'm a pa in Toronto and I don't think there's much work going around. I got lucky and my employer found me on workopolis but all the recruitment agencies weren't even interviewing when I first arrived.

There's work out there but nowhere near as much as a few years ago, plus of course there's a lot more competition.

Re: How bad is the work situation?
 

Yes, I am aware but am STR/cash in U.K. and figure this is my last chance really to give Canada a real go as perm home, otherwise I'm going to end up buying a home in U.K. at some point. :) Would prefer to live up north, but very aware is difficult to get work there at the best of times there.

Re: How bad is the work situation?
 

The job situation around the world seems like musical chairs - one less chair every go-round, so that those with chairs are sitting in them and refusing to move!

Re: How bad is the work situation?
 

Sorry to sound negative but being a Canadian may not count for much if you don't have Canadian experience it certainly didn't for my OH:unsure:

Re: How bad is the work situation?
 

I'm maybe over-confident, but that is why I figured best way to go was to work as a temp for a period, achieve good all round Canadian experience (maybe in Timmy's eh?) :lol:

Re: How bad is the work situation?
 

I think once you're actually in Toronto you'll have better luck. When I moved to Toronto I worked in a bar (I had no pervious experience) eventually I got a job in a lawyer's office thanks to one of the regular customers who knew someone who needed an assistant.:thumbup:

Re: How bad is the work situation?
 

I think your correct. Have to take a bit of a chance & jump off the fence I think. Its all about networking over there....difficult when you only know a whole load of folk in a northern hicktown (much as I love the hicktown)

I've just applied for a post in a err, um global company I've worked for before in the U.K. - see if I get any feedback.....:D yaaaaaaaaa, you only live once!

Re: How bad is the work situation?
 

Sounds like you have a great attitude, good luck:thumbsup:

Re: How bad is the work situation?
 

Overall Canada is still loosing jobs month to month.

Some provinces and industries are worse off then others. Same goes with citys within a province.

My experience right now is in my area, there are jobs for very specific fields but overall its proven difficult to even get an interview.

I am well over 60+ resumes now, and not one interview, but I have no skills, and need entry level and thats one that not really hiring right now.

Re: How bad is the work situation?
 

I would recommend looking on Craigs List for jobs. Its definitely tough in Canada, I've really struggled and have had to take a 50% pay cut but at least I'm still working.

I'm in Vancouver and its a smaller town with fewer opps. We came here for the lifestyle, but if you can't afford a lift pass or gas for your car then its no lifestyle. We're kind of glad its a global recession as it would be a big carrot to go home if all was rosy in the UK.

Anyway, employers in this tough time don't want to pay for extra recruitment agency costs, so jobs from basic admin/labour all the way up to CEO positions are on Craigs List as its a free way for employers to advertise

I'm a marketing manager and I found my new job on there.

Good luck...

Re: How bad is the work situation?
 

I second craigslist if your in a large city or metro area.

(Not as useful in smaller citys)

Its a popular website in North America these days.

HRDC also has a job bank website that can prove useful, fee to use as well.

Again not as useful in smaller citys.

Re: How bad is the work situation?
 

Although I am not in Toronto, I have found it difficult to get permanent office work and I am well qualified. I have not even had one interview.

Age may be a factor as I am in my mid-fifties but I have lots of experience and transferrable skills.

However, I have managed to get temporary work through an agency - the pay isn't great but it is a start and I think this may be a good way of getting relevant Canadian experience which will lead to better things.

I have just received my first pay cheque and it is a great feeling!