Hi All,

I am applying for roles in Canada from the UK.

So far, out of dozens of applications, I have only had one response.

Is this normal?

What does one have to do to get a response (I work as a C#.Net software Developer)?


Steve

Yes its quite normal.
Are you eligible to work in Canada i.e. do you have a valid work permit as opposed to the employer having to pay $1000 if a LMIA is required to employ you.
Applying for jobs from within the UK IMHO is not the easiest way to secure employment.

You also need to provide more info about yourself i.e. age etc to see if you will even qualify for a ob in Canada.

Even when you're living and well established in Canada, most employers don't respond to your applications. A few do, but even if they're interested in you it could still take weeks to get a response. I would say they would not be too interested in you unless they know you are in Canada or have residency starting here.
Contact a few agencies that deal in IT work in the area and get your name on their books. It's often a good way to get known and many will offer advice as well.
Which area are you looking at in Canada?

I'm not sure if it's been mentioned before, but have you looked at our 'Canada jobs' section? There's a post about IT jobs in NS that may be of interest.

There's also some helpful wiki articles on job hunting that may be of use: Category:Job Hunting-Canada : British Expat Wiki

If the automated replies are removed from the equation, I have gotten maybe 2 replies to an application in the 13 or so years I have been in Canada, so few I cannot remember the last one.

Automated replies are another story, lots of those, but they are just generic thank you for applying, we will only call those we are interested in generic useless replies that just fill up inbox.

So far as I can tell, job hunting in Canada falls into one of two very distinct camps.

1) Low-wage work (eg retail). You apply online or in person, get a rapid call to interview, and can start within a week.

2) Higher wage/skill work (your target). Applications may or may not be acknowledged (ignoring auto-responses), could be called to interview months later.

Depends where you are, supply and demand and all that guff...

Went months without a nibble then, bang! Three interviews and three offers in two weeks, it has been quite cyclical here in Calgary, but I have finally secured a position that will do me for now.....perhaps forever in Canada.

It is pretty standard not to receive responses.

I am an employer, and even when not advertising positions, I get dozens of resumes sent to me daily from overseas. When I am advertising a position, this increases to hundreds and on occasions thousands, I have to put on an auto response otherwise all i would be doing is answering applications. Probably 99% of the applications that i get are from applicants that are not entitled to work in Canada, but are looking for help with visa's etc. They just carpet bomb every employer with their resumes in the hope of getting assistance.

It sucks for genuine applicants now, but it is pure luck if your application is actually read by an interested employer.

Come to Canada, target specific employers and ask for a meeting for help and advice.

Another option, send a cover letter and resume by regular mail. It would stand out, may get noticed. Ideally, addressed to the person, by name, who does the hiring. A phone call may get you that information.

If a job is advertised and says applications by e-mail, that would be the way to do it for that job. The first thing we look at is the application and if the applicant can understand and follow instructions.

I agree.

I'm in Software Sales in Toronto and the market tends to be decent Feb to April and then Sep to Nov.

Christmas and Summer time people are locked in their homes or at the cottage.

If you have the misfortune of being out of work on the slow periods you can find yourself struggling to keep busy- especially in the winter stretch.

People can hire in the quiter patches but it is not uncommon to go weeks with out hearing, or big breaks in between interview stages.

I have never found the market to be as good as the UK from a salary or choice of work perspective.

I work as a C# .NET developer too. I'm assuming that you have tried contacting recruitment agents in your desired location?

Still looking around Halifax? Suprised you found dozens of C# roles around here.