Newbie with some questions
#1
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Joined: Jan 2014
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Newbie with some questions
Hi folks, I'm new here and have a few questions.
Myself and my partner are currently both in university in software development and we've been told that there's a real need for software developers in areas of Canada. It's somewhere we've always wanted to live due to the idyllic lifestyle painted but how realistic is this image? I know politically it's very stable, which puts in over and above the UK in my view, as it has more of a society mindset.
In terms of planning the move, where on earth do we start? Is it possible to get a job lined up from the UK without going over for interviews and such first? Where do we start looking? Is there anyone or any body we need to contact to start the ball rolling?
Any advice we could get is gratefully received, I know the scale of the move is large as moving frequently from Ireland to England was bad enough so I'm under no illusions that it will be tricky. Is it better to hire a company to move your things, how long does it take, etc.?
Thanks in advance.
Myself and my partner are currently both in university in software development and we've been told that there's a real need for software developers in areas of Canada. It's somewhere we've always wanted to live due to the idyllic lifestyle painted but how realistic is this image? I know politically it's very stable, which puts in over and above the UK in my view, as it has more of a society mindset.
In terms of planning the move, where on earth do we start? Is it possible to get a job lined up from the UK without going over for interviews and such first? Where do we start looking? Is there anyone or any body we need to contact to start the ball rolling?
Any advice we could get is gratefully received, I know the scale of the move is large as moving frequently from Ireland to England was bad enough so I'm under no illusions that it will be tricky. Is it better to hire a company to move your things, how long does it take, etc.?
Thanks in advance.
#2
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Joined: Dec 2010
Location: Durham Region Extension
Posts: 3,342
Re: Newbie with some questions
we've been told that there's a real need for software developers in areas of Canada.
In terms of planning the move, where on earth do we start?
Read up on Canada, know the provinces and territories. You might know people that have moved here, speak to them and get the honest truth, not the rose-tinted views
Is it possible to get a job lined up from the UK without going over for interviews and such first?
Where do we start looking? Is there anyone or any body we need to contact to start the ball rolling?
#3
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Joined: Jan 2014
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Re: Newbie with some questions
It's come from both of our lecturers in two separate universities. The difference is the software side of things I think, they've said that there's a need for software developers, not just computer techies. Maybe it varies from province to province?
Like Drake, you start from the bottom
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2ul9anDw-gA
Read up on Canada, know the provinces and territories. You might know people that have moved here, speak to them and get the honest truth, not the rose-tinted views
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2ul9anDw-gA
Read up on Canada, know the provinces and territories. You might know people that have moved here, speak to them and get the honest truth, not the rose-tinted views
Definitely will do some reading up on the different provinces. OH is thinking Vancouver or Montreal but I will read up on all of them, see the pros and cons of each. He has relatives there, he's in the process of talking to them to get their view on things but they may be a bit biased as they have been there for years and absolutely love it? Worth getting more info from them anyway!
Oh good! I know it seems like a daft question but when I was living in Ireland and had interviews in the UK, phone/Skype interviews weren't acceptable, I had to fly over for them. Obviously different paying £30 for a 50 minute flight and £1500 for a flight, but I just wanted to be sure.
I had a quick whizz through the site last night, didn't take much in though as it was late so I will take another look and make some notes/bookmarks. Is a lawyer often needed when applying?
#4
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Joined: Dec 2010
Location: Durham Region Extension
Posts: 3,342
Re: Newbie with some questions
Software developing / programming / administrator stuff is what brought me here in my previous life......my last gig as a civilian was with major international organization in Toronto
So I know what you speak of, and know what the market use to be, and what it is currently like.
You have to really do your research on this life changing move if you wish to pursue it. Don't just expect to be told what you want to hear....you are right that family might not paint the right picture, but do seek friends, acquaintances etc to give you a different perspective.
Montreal....it will help if you understand Au Francais', do you?
So I know what you speak of, and know what the market use to be, and what it is currently like.
You have to really do your research on this life changing move if you wish to pursue it. Don't just expect to be told what you want to hear....you are right that family might not paint the right picture, but do seek friends, acquaintances etc to give you a different perspective.
Montreal....it will help if you understand Au Francais', do you?
#5
Re: Newbie with some questions
Myself and my partner are currently both in university in software development and we've been told that there's a real need for software developers in areas of Canada. It's somewhere we've always wanted to live due to the idyllic lifestyle painted but how realistic is this image? I know politically it's very stable, which puts in over and above the UK in my view, as it has more of a society mindset.
"the idyllic lifestyle", mmm, that's what everyone thinks driving down the 401 during rush hour I'm sure. I remember sitting on Hwy 1 in North Vancouver during rush hour once thinking wow, how idyllic is this.
Canada is a very varied country from coast to coast to coast. Depends on where you want to live really. But anywhere you pick is going to have shit weather during the winter. Calgary for example has on average 190 days with temperatures below freezing a year (albeit that includes overnight lows).
#6
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Joined: Feb 2013
Location: Arrived in the Okanagan - June 2013
Posts: 245
Re: Newbie with some questions
No need for lawyers in my opinion. The process is slow and long winded in my experience but not difficult. Good luck
#7
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Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 286
Re: Newbie with some questions
Hi
Just wanted to offer some insight into the employment market based on my experience in Calgary.
I recently started two companies here in Calgary, one is in bookkeeping and the other is IT consultancy and software design.
When I advertised positions on Kijiji, I got at least 10 from people who had recently moved here (1 from Oz, 2 from Ireland and the rest from England). They were offering their services for free for a few months just to get some experience here in Canada. I've given 1 guy 2 days per week work, but it gives you an idea of the potential market here.
Also I got a total of 245 applicants for bookkeepers and 196 applicants for software developers within 5 days. About 1/3 of those were decent resumes and around half of the decent ones were currently not employed.
In saying that, as long as you're open to some variance from your 'ideal job' you should be ok. And also like someone else said, you will more than likely be starting on the first rung of the ladder.
Good luck
Just wanted to offer some insight into the employment market based on my experience in Calgary.
I recently started two companies here in Calgary, one is in bookkeeping and the other is IT consultancy and software design.
When I advertised positions on Kijiji, I got at least 10 from people who had recently moved here (1 from Oz, 2 from Ireland and the rest from England). They were offering their services for free for a few months just to get some experience here in Canada. I've given 1 guy 2 days per week work, but it gives you an idea of the potential market here.
Also I got a total of 245 applicants for bookkeepers and 196 applicants for software developers within 5 days. About 1/3 of those were decent resumes and around half of the decent ones were currently not employed.
In saying that, as long as you're open to some variance from your 'ideal job' you should be ok. And also like someone else said, you will more than likely be starting on the first rung of the ladder.
Good luck
#8
Re: Newbie with some questions
Hi folks, I'm new here and have a few questions.
Myself and my partner are currently both in university in software development and we've been told that there's a real need for software developers in areas of Canada. It's somewhere we've always wanted to live due to the idyllic lifestyle painted but how realistic is this image? I know politically it's very stable, which puts in over and above the UK in my view, as it has more of a society mindset.
In terms of planning the move, where on earth do we start? Is it possible to get a job lined up from the UK without going over for interviews and such first? Where do we start looking? Is there anyone or any body we need to contact to start the ball rolling?
Any advice we could get is gratefully received, I know the scale of the move is large as moving frequently from Ireland to England was bad enough so I'm under no illusions that it will be tricky. Is it better to hire a company to move your things, how long does it take, etc.?
Thanks in advance.
Myself and my partner are currently both in university in software development and we've been told that there's a real need for software developers in areas of Canada. It's somewhere we've always wanted to live due to the idyllic lifestyle painted but how realistic is this image? I know politically it's very stable, which puts in over and above the UK in my view, as it has more of a society mindset.
In terms of planning the move, where on earth do we start? Is it possible to get a job lined up from the UK without going over for interviews and such first? Where do we start looking? Is there anyone or any body we need to contact to start the ball rolling?
Any advice we could get is gratefully received, I know the scale of the move is large as moving frequently from Ireland to England was bad enough so I'm under no illusions that it will be tricky. Is it better to hire a company to move your things, how long does it take, etc.?
Thanks in advance.
#9
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4
Re: Newbie with some questions
Thanks for all your replies.
It terms of what we're looking for, both of us are trained in Java and C++, and he is also trained in C#, so there's huge scope of job opportunities there (I hope!).
Weather-wise, we much prefer the cold to the sun, we live on the North-west coast of Ireland where it never rains, it pours!
By the sound of it, there are significantly more job applications than there are jobs, much the same as over here?
It terms of what we're looking for, both of us are trained in Java and C++, and he is also trained in C#, so there's huge scope of job opportunities there (I hope!).
Weather-wise, we much prefer the cold to the sun, we live on the North-west coast of Ireland where it never rains, it pours!
By the sound of it, there are significantly more job applications than there are jobs, much the same as over here?
#10
Re: Newbie with some questions
I recently followed a job search for a "junior developer" for a large company that needed someone for Java applications (it's not really development but customisation of an application package written in Java). The job was posted on the corporation's website for a week. There were hundreds of applications, many of them from people with multiple degrees who had been working in the software industry. Only a few, those with some particular edge, were interviewed. (Obviously the candidate who had been working on an application to print chocolate bars got a shot). Most resumes were binned because the applicants looked overqualified.
My advice to developers looking to move to Ontario would be to also bring a saleable skill.
#11
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Joined: Jan 2014
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Re: Newbie with some questions
The recent immigrants I know who are in the software industry generally cling on to their contracts in the UK and work remotely. The pay is better and it's work they already have.
I recently followed a job search for a "junior developer" for a large company that needed someone for Java applications (it's not really development but customisation of an application package written in Java). The job was posted on the corporation's website for a week. There were hundreds of applications, many of them from people with multiple degrees who had been working in the software industry. Only a few, those with some particular edge, were interviewed. (Obviously the candidate who had been working on an application to print chocolate bars got a shot). Most resumes were binned because the applicants looked overqualified.
My advice to developers looking to move to Ontario would be to also bring a saleable skill.
I recently followed a job search for a "junior developer" for a large company that needed someone for Java applications (it's not really development but customisation of an application package written in Java). The job was posted on the corporation's website for a week. There were hundreds of applications, many of them from people with multiple degrees who had been working in the software industry. Only a few, those with some particular edge, were interviewed. (Obviously the candidate who had been working on an application to print chocolate bars got a shot). Most resumes were binned because the applicants looked overqualified.
My advice to developers looking to move to Ontario would be to also bring a saleable skill.
Thanks for the advice, that's definitely something for us to keep in mind.
OH's uncle who currently lives in Vancouver sent him a link to jobs in the area open to international applicants and he said there were absolutely loads. I can imagine though that each job is looking for that person with a saleable skill? What sort of things would be classed as a saleable skill other than the obvious transferable skills? What would be classed as overqualified?