Hi
Well we finally made it, we have been in Calgary a week - well in Cochrane staying with a friend - and our feet haven't really touched the ground.
We think we have secured a rental place downtown in Mount Royal, we've done the banking things and registered for a credit card (had to put a hefty down payment down!), in the process of sorting cell phones, registered with Alberta Health etc.
Would be great to touch base with people already here to learn best way forward - especially re jobs. Many thanks to those of you who have already contacted us previously - we will be in touch now the dust has settled a little.
Des was a primary school headteacher in UK therefore has degree but cant teach in Alberta until he has Canadian Studies course under his belt and in the meantime, we clearly need to keep the wolves from the door. People are telling us its who you know and not what you know to a certain extent when securing jobs. That's worrying as we know 1 person in Alberta! So any help / advise on what to do / where to go will be greatly appreciated.
Chris was a Research Nurse in UK and again he can't practise until he's has gone through SEC and national exam. The waiting list for SEC means he cant do the assessment until Jan 2013, therefore he too is without work.
We have been downtown to a place called Immigrant Services Calgary who seem to think we will find work and are helping us with our resume - but it still seems a scary prospect.
Neither of us have ever been out of work and we didnt expect to walk into jobs necessarily - any support / success stories / tips would be much appreciated.
Also anyone in Calgary who wants a coffee / beer or can just offer reassurance would also be much appreciated!
Des and Chris

Welcome to Canada. When we arrived we also found out it was who you know and not what you know, nor how much experience you have. We did all sorts of little jobs to keep the wolf from the door, even cleaning apartments (exit cleaning when tenant left) for the rental company we hired an apartment from! If you roll up your sleeves and take anything at first while you study and get your accreditions you will be fine. Good luck

Welcome to Canada and good luck in your job search etc.
Keep us posted

Well, congrats on being here your first week! There's always so much to do when you first arrive. I'm afraid I can't really offer any real help on the job front as my husband had a job to come to before we moved over and I was initially a stay at home mum when we first arrived, only later getting something part-time once my youngest started school.

We do know of others who have moved over in similar situations to yourselves though and they too just took whatever jobs they could get in the interim until something more suitable came along.

Hang on in there, I'm sure something will come your way.

Wishing you all the best.

Hi Des/Chris

Congrats and welcome to Alberta.

Send me a copy of a Canadianized resume for Des, I will drop it in work next week. I'll be on a course for 9 days, but will check whether they still need any contract instructors. You should have my email.

Chris, it might be worth you looking at the new hospital that has recently opened to see whether you can pick up a job there until you have sat the SEC exam.

You'll have jobs soon, and good luck with the rental.

Poppit

Thank you - your support is appreciated!

Thank you - we are reasonably flexible re what kind of jobs we take - its just a tad scary - the deep dark unknown!

Thanks Poppit - I've emailed you my resume - not sure if it hits the mark re Canadianisation, but it's my first bash!
Would be great to catch up soon!
Des and Chris