Collie

I had a similar experience - PhD, loads of publications, experience etc. but not even the courtesy of a reply when I applied from the UK - though eventually I got an offer from Winnipeg after about 20 applications.

Aviator

Don't know about other employers, but for us, a resume with no address or phone number is not considered. I guess it depends on how unique ones skill set it.

For me, if a candidate states what they want, usually in a cover letter, immigration status, or they want assistance, I know what I am dealing with. If I feel they have tried to hoodwink me, then no chance of even being considered.

Anya121

Really, Aviator? You would turn down an applicant because there was no street address at the top of their resume? (Of course I am giving one in the application form under contact information.) Can I ask what you did when applying for jobs in Canada while you were living in the UK? What would you recommend, considering I believe I'm being sifted out due to the UK address. Thank you for your suggestions.

Collie, great to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks.

R I C H

I don't think there's much doubt you're likely to be sifted out with a UK address. As a hiring manager I'd received hundred of applications, and you'd have to make pragmatic and logistical decisions about the suitability/availability of candidates. The only reason I'd consider an overseas candidate would be if they had an appropriate immigration status (visa) and there wasn't anyone local with the right experience, which in reality was an unlikely scenario.

I didn't consider applying for jobs prior to emigrating - being on the ground, work visa/PR enabled and immediately available for interview are far more attractive to a prospective employer than taking a punt on someone overseas, not having yet made a commitment to a country.

Tumbling_Dice

I sent the wife over to Canada almost a year before me so that we would have a Canadian address and telephone number.

I got my LinkedIn up to date and moved the address to Linkedin Canada.

I made sure my CV was now a Canadian Resume. I then planned 5 separate trips over to Canada to transition in.

As an Independent Financial Adviser in the UK, I had to get my qualifications looked at by the relevant Canadian bodies, then discovered I needed to do an ultimately useless, to say nothing of pricey, but necessary "gateway" exam. I did this on my first trip over.

Each subsequent trip, I tried to get appointments with agencies, I put my resume on the usual on line job banks, I sent my resume around and / or dropped it in. It quickly became clear the issue was getting in front of a human being. Once I got a few nibbles, even if it seemed unlikely to go far, I went and met the people.

Finally, one of the big banks put me forward for a job that I didn't want, but I did the interview process anyway, mostly from the UK, with a final interview on one of my trips over. I got offered the position, but turned it down in a manner which seemed to please them, so they told me to call when I was near my final moving date. I did so, they booked me an interview and created a trainee Financial Adviser role for me. I flew over on a Friday and started on a Tuesday.

One thing I will say, certainly here in Nova Scotia, it is getting in front of people that counts. I applied for a job at one of the other big banks and, after about 6 months with no update, they turned me down. However, I went to a job fair in Halifax, which seemed to be geared to immigrants, and met the head of recruitment for this particular bank. I had my resume with me and we had a quick chat about it. Then she gave me her card and told me to call her the following week.

Dunno if that helps, and maybe I could have done it quicker, but it worked out well for me. I hope it does for you as well.

Aqua

i called up companies i knew in the same field as my work/ profession. i had 2 offers in Canada and 1 in Australia within 2 weeks.

I then arranged to fly our and meet the 2 Canadian companies. Once I met them both i made a decision on the Ontario company and they started the WP process for me. Within 8 weeks of my first initial contact I was in Canada and working in the office.

Even though you maybe in the UK, If you have the skills they need and want most Canadian companies will make an offer and help get you over. Saying that, be careful and remember if it's to good to be true them it probably is.

I was lucky as the industry I am in is a niche market and only 7 companies world wide actually do it with 2 of the largest companies based in Canada!

Anya121

Thank you very much for all of these responses. So many good ideas here. The main thing I take away from all of these is to get in front of someone - networking, phone calls, or going over for a short time and meeting them. Not just being a piece of paper. Harder when you don't live there, but I can see you've all made it happen one way or another, so it clearly is possible. Thanks so much for your thoughts on this subject.

Tumbling_Dice

Getting in front of a human is key, especially here (Halifax area). Definitely go to the job fairs for new immigrants. Worthwhile companies actually show up with people who are in a position to help you. I have usually been cynical about job fairs, so much so my wife just nagged me till I gave in and went. I was surprised at how many decent companies from the Halifax area had stalls and, had I not already got myself set up, the job fair would have given me a big morale boost.

Anya121

Can I ask where you heard about the job fairs? Thanks.

Tumbling_Dice

My wife found it on the ISANS (Immigrant Services Associate of Nova Scotia) website (and I think it was flagged under events on Facebook). Not sure where you are heading but there are likely similar organisations across the country.

Atlantic Xpat

To add my 10 cents....

I applied for a job advertised locally prior to having PR (but having a family class sponsorship well underway). The job was one I was well qualified for, albeit I had no experience of the particular industry. In short order I had a telephone interview and, ultimately, got flown over for a face to face & subsequently offered the job. The employer even started down the road of a LMIA but my PR came through before that was necessary.

Was I lucky? Yes, the right job came up at the right time & the recruiting manager was open minded and experienced enough not to be phased by me not being in country (or indeed in the right city). I did make it clear in my application that I was in the process of emigrating and under what scheme. What worked in my favour was that in a small town and a fairly specialist field, I had considerably more experience than any local applicant. And that I offer as a potential upside of applying for a job in a smaller city/town - you may well be considerably better qualified than local candidates and that could be an advantage. If I had been job hunting in Toronto my experience would have been different. There would be many more jobs but much more competition.

The downside of smaller cities is that should you need to find another job - as I did, just a year after getting the first one - then there are fewer opportunities. That led to a fairly crappy job for 5 years before I joined my current employer.

The key, as I think has been clearly articulated, is to try and physically (or at least via phone/skype) get in front of someone so you can impress!

Anya121

Thanks for that Atlantic Xpat. It's a good idea to look at smaller towns too, as you say.

Thank you Tumbling_Dice. I googled job fairs in Toronto and there are a few so I'll definitely try to plan my next visit to coincide with one. Seemed to have a lot of good companies on their lists. Thanks for that.

aerivona

I just wanted to update you all I got the job. I start on the 7th May. Just booked my flight to Calgary. Can't believe it

Anya121

Excellent; congratulations!! Exciting times. Make sure you take a trip to Banff to see the beauty on your doorstep. Good luck with your new venture!

aerivona

Thanks, good luck to everyone else that's looking too