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It's been a few months...
I've been away from BE while we've been settling into life as new Canadians, and just want to update our situation.
My wife and I landed in July and since then we've bought a house just west of Carleton Place, about an hour outside Ottawa, and begun settling into the community. My wife's joined the local brass band, we're looking at other organisations to join or other ways of making friends, and we're loving life as new Canadians. All the positive things about life in Canada that we imagined/researched have proved to be true: the people are friendly, the scenery is terrific, the weather is, erm, varied, and there is simply a more positive feeling to the country than we generally found back home (South Wales). Our only real (major) hurdle is finding jobs - I'm a writer/editor/designer, my better half is in administration/office work. We've taken lots of advice on producing top-notch resumes, applied for 20+ positions in the last few months, told practically everybody we meet that we're looking for work, and basically done all we can to find something. And so far: one employer that put me through five (!) interviews, a questionnaire, writing a 16-page essay and other work only to tell me I wasn't experienced enough compared to the other candidate left from 1,000 who applied, and another interview that just didn't work out. My wife has had some temp work, but other than that, nothing. Yes, we know bilingualism is key to many Ottawa jobs (particularly in her line of work), but given the difficulty and probable expense of learning Quebec French, rather than schoolbook French, we are focusing our efforts outside the city if at all possible. Our savings have tided us over so far, but if worst comes to worse we'll have to move somewhere that we could find work - Toronto would be best for my work, but we didn't like the city much when we went on a research trip a few years ago. We love where we are, and don't want to go unless we really have to. We're absolutely 100% determined not to return to the UK - we already consider ourselves proud Canadians, and will do anything we can to succeed here. It took us four years to get visas, and we WILL make this work. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We think we're doing all the networking, etc, we can, and we're open to practically any computer-based work, rather than sticking to our chosen careers. But does anybody have any tips on how expats can get that first opportunity? We're exhausted from sending out what everybody (jobcentres, temp agencies) says are good resumes into a great black hole. |
Re: It's been a few months...
I think you need to talk to people you've already met. Even the person who said you weren't experienced enough. Don't let them forget who you are.
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Re: It's been a few months...
Originally Posted by Grendel
(Post 8201143)
I've been away from BE while we've been settling into life as new Canadians, and just want to update our situation.
My wife and I landed in July and since then we've bought a house just west of Carleton Place, about an hour outside Ottawa, and begun settling into the community. My wife's joined the local brass band, we're looking at other organisations to join or other ways of making friends, and we're loving life as new Canadians. All the positive things about life in Canada that we imagined/researched have proved to be true: the people are friendly, the scenery is terrific, the weather is, erm, varied, and there is simply a more positive feeling to the country than we generally found back home (South Wales). Our only real (major) hurdle is finding jobs - I'm a writer/editor/designer, my better half is in administration/office work. We've taken lots of advice on producing top-notch resumes, applied for 20+ positions in the last few months, told practically everybody we meet that we're looking for work, and basically done all we can to find something. And so far: one employer that put me through five (!) interviews, a questionnaire, writing a 16-page essay and other work only to tell me I wasn't experienced enough compared to the other candidate left from 1,000 who applied, and another interview that just didn't work out. My wife has had some temp work, but other than that, nothing. Yes, we know bilingualism is key to many Ottawa jobs (particularly in her line of work), but given the difficulty and probable expense of learning Quebec French, rather than schoolbook French, we are focusing our efforts outside the city if at all possible. Our savings have tided us over so far, but if worst comes to worse we'll have to move somewhere that we could find work - Toronto would be best for my work, but we didn't like the city much when we went on a research trip a few years ago. We love where we are, and don't want to go unless we really have to. We're absolutely 100% determined not to return to the UK - we already consider ourselves proud Canadians, and will do anything we can to succeed here. It took us four years to get visas, and we WILL make this work. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We think we're doing all the networking, etc, we can, and we're open to practically any computer-based work, rather than sticking to our chosen careers. But does anybody have any tips on how expats can get that first opportunity? We're exhausted from sending out what everybody (jobcentres, temp agencies) says are good resumes into a great black hole. Hello Grendel, That post could have been something I wrote! that is exactly my scenario....feel there is so much potential in Canada, but after 7 months of trying to get a job.... nothing... I am bar tending at the moment to keep the wolf from the door, whcih it is doing, but life is basically just an existence. I chose bartending as an interim job to enable me to network as much as I can, and I have met far more people than I would have under normal circumstances, but nothing as yet. I am approaching triple figures with the amount of jobs I have applied for, and I am in a totally different industry to you... I am in engineering, unfortunately work is very scare at the moment regardless of what field you are in, also I feel the "the lack of Canadian experience" which wouldnt matter in normal conditions comes into play. It took me three years to get my visa, and altho I am getting very disheartened at the moment I too refuse to give up yet - ive promised myself I will give it a full calender year before I evaluate the situation....I feel its just very unfortunate timing for the people that have come at this time, thats all it is down to, if the jobs are not there you can network until your blue in the face, the enconomy is just depressed, but that doesnt mean stop trying... it will pick up, but no one really knows when? somehow you have to ride the storm....and hope you come out the other side, easier said than done, its certainly character building, Im trying to look at from the point of view that things are on the bottom now and when it does pick up....the only way for life and things is up! |
Re: It's been a few months...
Originally Posted by Grendel
(Post 8201143)
Yes, we know bilingualism is key to many Ottawa jobs (particularly in her line of work), but given the difficulty and probable expense of learning Quebec French, rather than schoolbook French, we are focusing our efforts outside the city if at all possible.
However, I believe Quebec French vs France French is like England English vs Canadian English. It's not the language that's different - it's the accent and local slang that differs. Fundamentally, it's still the same language - same verb conjugation and what have you. I also believe the Quebec government has a program where they'll sponsor you to learn French for free. Look into that as a possible option. You may need to be a Canadian citizen, although I'm not entirely sure. |
Re: It's been a few months...
Originally Posted by Paul_Shepherd
(Post 8202866)
Hello Grendel,
That post could have been something I wrote! that is exactly my scenario....feel there is so much potential in Canada, but after 7 months of trying to get a job.... nothing... I am bar tending at the moment to keep the wolf from the door, whcih it is doing, but life is basically just an existence. I chose bartending as an interim job to enable me to network as much as I can, and I have met far more people than I would have under normal circumstances, but nothing as yet. I am approaching triple figures with the amount of jobs I have applied for, and I am in a totally different industry to you... I am in engineering, unfortunately work is very scare at the moment regardless of what field you are in, also I feel the "the lack of Canadian experience" which wouldnt matter in normal conditions comes into play. It took me three years to get my visa, and altho I am getting very disheartened at the moment I too refuse to give up yet - ive promised myself I will give it a full calender year before I evaluate the situation....I feel its just very unfortunate timing for the people that have come at this time, thats all it is down to, if the jobs are not there you can network until your blue in the face, the enconomy is just depressed, but that doesnt mean stop trying... it will pick up, but no one really knows when? somehow you have to ride the storm....and hope you come out the other side, easier said than done, its certainly character building, Im trying to look at from the point of view that things are on the bottom now and when it does pick up....the only way for life and things is up! good luck |
Re: It's been a few months...
Originally Posted by dboy
(Post 8203025)
very good attitude. I sure hope things turn around. Timing is everything as they say.
good luck Thankyou for your good luck wishes |
Re: It's been a few months...
Originally Posted by dboy
(Post 8203025)
very good attitude. I sure hope things turn around. Timing is everything as they say.
good luck |
Re: It's been a few months...
If your wife is experienced in admin, she should sign up with as many temp agencies as she can. They work a little differently here than in the UK as the jobs often lead to long-term posts - I had four jobs via agencies and I had the option to stay permanently with all of them (two of them were well paid!) And I was never out of work for more than a few days. Some agencies are better than others so it's worth trying a few out - and call them every week to remind them of your presence!
I don't think I've ever found a job by sending out my resume. It's mostly about networking here - not easy when you're a newbie, but it gets easier and more effective as time goes on. I now prefer it to the UK method of applying for jobs and sending out resumes. |
Re: It's been a few months...
Originally Posted by Lemons
(Post 8204266)
If your wife is experienced in admin, she should sign up with as many temp agencies as she can. They work a little differently here than in the UK as the jobs often lead to long-term posts - I had four jobs via agencies and I had the option to stay permanently with all of them (two of them were well paid!) And I was never out of work for more than a few days. Some agencies are better than others so it's worth trying a few out - and call them every week to remind them of your presence!
And I was told several times to try this route over the past year or so, but timing for me at home with kids was never quite right. But once I got that foot in the door, actually getting a job was, dare I say it, quite easy ! Very good luck. |
Re: It's been a few months...
Originally Posted by Alan2005
(Post 8204126)
Yes, life is what you make it. anything is possible if you have the right attitude.
Remember you are one in a million. If you can make here, you can make it anywhere. It takes 20 muscles to frown but only one to smile. Today, expect the best. Love the world and the world will love you. There's always someone who thinks you're awesome. Hope these help. |
Re: It's been a few months...
Originally Posted by Grendel
(Post 8201143)
I've been away from BE while we've been settling into life as new Canadians, and just want to update our situation.
My wife and I landed in July and since then we've bought a house just west of Carleton Place, about an hour outside Ottawa, and begun settling into the community. My wife's joined the local brass band, we're looking at other organisations to join or other ways of making friends, and we're loving life as new Canadians. All the positive things about life in Canada that we imagined/researched have proved to be true: the people are friendly, the scenery is terrific, the weather is, erm, varied, and there is simply a more positive feeling to the country than we generally found back home (South Wales). Our only real (major) hurdle is finding jobs - I'm a writer/editor/designer, my better half is in administration/office work. We've taken lots of advice on producing top-notch resumes, applied for 20+ positions in the last few months, told practically everybody we meet that we're looking for work, and basically done all we can to find something. And so far: one employer that put me through five (!) interviews, a questionnaire, writing a 16-page essay and other work only to tell me I wasn't experienced enough compared to the other candidate left from 1,000 who applied, and another interview that just didn't work out. My wife has had some temp work, but other than that, nothing. Yes, we know bilingualism is key to many Ottawa jobs (particularly in her line of work), but given the difficulty and probable expense of learning Quebec French, rather than schoolbook French, we are focusing our efforts outside the city if at all possible. Our savings have tided us over so far, but if worst comes to worse we'll have to move somewhere that we could find work - Toronto would be best for my work, but we didn't like the city much when we went on a research trip a few years ago. We love where we are, and don't want to go unless we really have to. We're absolutely 100% determined not to return to the UK - we already consider ourselves proud Canadians, and will do anything we can to succeed here. It took us four years to get visas, and we WILL make this work. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We think we're doing all the networking, etc, we can, and we're open to practically any computer-based work, rather than sticking to our chosen careers. But does anybody have any tips on how expats can get that first opportunity? We're exhausted from sending out what everybody (jobcentres, temp agencies) says are good resumes into a great black hole. Canadian Perspectives |
Re: It's been a few months...
Just wanted to add to Grendel and Paul_Shepherds comments that there experience and outlook is EXACTLY what we're experiencing too. We've been here almost 3 months and after applying for approx. 40 jobs so far, and tried to network too but not a single result except a speculative interview with someone about a job (not even in my field of work) who hasn't been back to me. The rest have been meetings with recruitment agencies who 'big' you up then never get in touch with anything solid (I'm in IT btw). Application feedback is non-existent (but that's been discussed in other threads already).
I agree so much with Paul's attitude that it's 'timing' and that any other time our efforts would have produced at least more than we've had so far. If we can manage to last out a full year financially, but find we are no further in jobs, then, like Paul, I think we need to assess our situation, but I don't really want to go back to the UK having worked so hard to get here (over 3 years to get the PR's). We also sold the house in autumn (after over a year of no offers) in a bad market having reduced it drastically, and to make things worse the exchange rates are crap which made our money go even less. But all this is has been out of our control and it's just bad timing ! But we got to keep going. I'm hoping to do some Vanoc work which is about 2 months worth of work. It's cheap labour but it will help finances stretch a little further and hopefully buy us more time, give us some 'Canadian experience' and perhaps an opportunity to network ? (BTW, I think they're still looking for paid help for the Vanoc for those interested. PM me if you want to know where I went to enquire). We want to see and do so much more in Canada but held back by the strains of our financial limitations so we can't experience the full potential of Vancouver as we'd like. As you say, fingers crossed that we have hit the lowest point (which seems to be taking ages to get through !) and that it WILL get better in the new year. :fingerscrossed: |
Re: It's been a few months...
Originally Posted by trouncer
(Post 8204349)
Just wanted to add to Grendel and Paul_Shepherds comments that there experience and outlook is EXACTLY what we're experiencing too. We've been here almost 3 months and after applying for approx. 40 jobs so far, and tried to network too but not a single result except a speculative interview with someone about a job (not even in my field of work) who hasn't been back to me. The rest have been meetings with recruitment agencies who 'big' you up then never get in touch with anything solid (I'm in IT btw). Application feedback is non-existent (but that's been discussed in other threads already).
I agree so much with Paul's attitude that it's 'timing' and that any other time our efforts would have produced at least more than we've had so far. If we can manage to last out a full year financially, but find we are no further in jobs, then, like Paul, I think we need to assess our situation, but I don't really want to go back to the UK having worked so hard to get here (over 3 years to get the PR's). We also sold the house in autumn (after over a year of no offers) in a bad market having reduced it drastically, and to make things worse the exchange rates are crap which made our money go even less. But all this is has been out of our control and it's just bad timing ! But we got to keep going. I'm hoping to do some Vanoc work which is about 2 months worth of work. It's cheap labour but it will help finances stretch a little further and hopefully buy us more time, give us some 'Canadian experience' and perhaps an opportunity to network ? (BTW, I think they're still looking for paid help for the Vanoc for those interested. PM me if you want to know where I went to enquire). We want to see and do so much more in Canada but held back by the strains of our financial limitations so we can't experience the full potential of Vancouver as we'd like. As you say, fingers crossed that we have hit the lowest point (which seems to be taking ages to get through !) and that it WILL get better in the new year. :fingerscrossed: |
Re: It's been a few months...
Originally Posted by zebra1
(Post 8204406)
seems like the majority of people who have move in the last year without a job waiting for them are in the same situation - scary
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Re: It's been a few months...
Originally Posted by Alan2005
(Post 8204126)
Yes, life is what you make it. anything is possible if you have the right attitude.
Originally Posted by Oink
(Post 8204329)
And don't count your chickens before they roost.
Remember you are one in a million. If you can make here, you can make it anywhere. It takes 20 muscles to frown but only one to smile. Today, expect the best. Love the world and the world will love you. There's always someone who thinks you're awesome. Hope these help. |
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