CanadianInGasgow

Hi All,

Looking for some advice. Im Canadian by birth (therefore don't need a visa), and my boyfriend has secured a 2 year working visa. We are looking to head over to Canada at the end of july but are finding it really difficult to get any employers to speak to us. I am a project manager with 6+ years experience and my boyfriend is a football (soccer) coach with a top league club in Scotland.

We would love to head over to Canada with 1 or both of us having secured a job. The problem is no one seems willing to consider us ?? I have had a number of interviews with a shipbuilder in Vancouver, however after a month of waiting for the next interview I hold little hope (they have emailed saying it is taking longer than expected). This is the only position ive ever been called back for and that is only because im currently a project manager on a shipbuild in Scotland.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

P.S have re-done my resume countless times to see if that would help

christmasoompa

Hi, and welcome to BE.

The reality is that unless either of you have specialist skills, you're not likely to find a job before you go. But have a read of the Job Hunting section of the Wiki and you'll find loads of good tips in there. Have you been phoning prospective employers or just applying via the net? If you've not phoned, do try that.

Best of luck.

CanadianInGasgow

Hi, Thanks for that. I have tried to find details to contact employers directly, but have found it extremely difficult to even find a contact email let alone a phone number

johntheScot

bit more information may help others in assisting you.

is it only ship building you have worked in?
do you have qualifications and transferable skills?
Do you have a profession or trade as well?


Shipbuilding is a very small industry so might be difficult to crack here at your level of experience.

CanadianInGasgow

Happy to give more info:

No I have worked in other industries, including IT projects for the national health service, Clinical Projects, & Shipbuilding. I have a Bachelors Degree: B.A(Hons) Business Management, A post graduate Diploma: PgDip Project Management. A masters degree: MSc Project Management. Not sure about Canada but in the UK Project Management is a profession ?? My project management experience lies with project control, i.e Earned Value Management, Budget Management, Risk Management, Change Management etc. At present my responsibilities are for Commercial & Supply Chain on a £6.2bn warship build.

As for ship building it is something I kind of fell into, not particularly bothered about staying in it, however according to maritime news Canada are not prolific ship builders therefore have real issues sourcing experienced employees. I know this from experience of a large number of UK maritime staff being targeted by Canadian Ship Builders. However as I said im not too fussed about which industry, Project Management is very much universal

PB65

Having mentioned your very impressive qualifications I assume you left off the PM Certification in error which assume must have as well. In JOB Bank looks like plenty of PM roles in the Vancouver area Home - Job Bank

CanadianInGasgow

thanks, but no I haven't left off PM Certificate. Not sure which one you are referring to given there are dozens of different ones. I chose to do an Msc instead which covers Prince 2, Agile etc.

PB65

Sorry your right of course the MSC more relevant/positive than the PMP. Good luck in your job search although as others have implied not impossible but not easy from offshore.

CanadianInGasgow

thanks PB65, yeah it would seem so. I'm guessing I will just have to return to Canada without a job, and start from scratch. Oh well im always up for a good challenge lol

Juggernaut1064

I had a driver quit and "Go back to ship building" in Nova Scotia so i know there are ship builders out that way but that's the only area i know of and a quick search brought this info up.

https://www.google.ca/webhp?sourceid...hip%20building

Unfortunately he only lasted a few months before he quit and came back to Alberta due to the Truck Driver bug, He couldn't settle being in an office (ship design) any more.
Not sure if the link will help but hey it wont harm either lol
If i remember next time i see him i'll ask for info but it maybe a week or so as he was here yesterday then left and mostly at least a week per run.

CanadianInGasgow

thanks juggernaut....much appreciated

Juggernaut1064

I just noticed one advert used words "Weapons" If i remember what was said the Canadian Navy build ships in that area of NS too

Juggernaut1064

Worth a look !

https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/sim-cn...h_uv00030.html

CanadianInGasgow

You are an absolute gem juggernaut. Just looked, and phone numbers/email address available for all of them. will be hitting the phones and try and drum up a job lol

ScottyB

These tips may help.


Make sure your address is one in Canada, likewise for your telephone number and mobile.


You will be amazed at the number of CV's which do not pass electronic filters or old school human review by failing to consider the above.


Friend/Family address and number or buy a pay as you go mobile to make sure you give yourself a fighting chance.


Regards


ScottyB