Positive Work Experience??
 

We are in the process of applying for our Canadian immigration visa, however since reading about some of the experiences of new immigrants to Canada we are now having second thoughts. Our concerns centre on the employment situation in Canada, particuarly in Vancouver.

Has anybody out there had a positive experience of finding work in Canada? If so please advise! We both have a flexible approach to work, and are not stupid enough to think that we will find a job as soon as we set foot off the plane. But we also don't want to bang our heads against a brick wall in terms of finding work. We have also worked too hard to provide the money for our new life to see it disapear down the drain with nothing to show for it.

Hope someone out there can give us a positive message.

Merry Xmas.

Re: Positive Work Experience??
 

I have moved from London (UK) to T.O 6months ago with a skilled program visa. I found T.O to be a nice city to live in. One thing you have to remeber is that to be patient. You are not going to find it hard to settle down in CA coming from the UK, apart from getting used to the weather in the winter. But when it comes to finding a job, that is some thing else. It will break you to a point of giving up, but finally it is more likely to get your foot in the job market. But don't forget to have enough saving to last you for a minimum of 1 year to help you settle down.

One thing that is different about UK from CA is job hunting is that, from my experience recruitment agencies in CA are shit, they are Hindrance rather than help, poor service and not cooperative in helping you find a job. So don't depend on them. So the way I have managed to find a job in the IT market is by Networking, direct job application to companies and online job hunting such as workopolis.

Canada has a lot to offer compared to UK, specially with quality of life. You don't have to go far (driving not flying) to do out door activities such as Skiing, Ice Skating, water raffting, sailing, camping, mountain climing, eating out, theater, shopping, Cinema. Unless you take advantage of it, you quality of life is not going to dramatically change or enhance in CA to what it was in the UK.

You can do all this for less than what it cost you in the UK (Not mentioning exchange rate here) for the income you have working and living here. Eventhough the salary here is lower than the UK, the cost of living is low too which compensate for the salary.
Toronto is the world in a city, so you don't feel outsider. You feel part of a bigger world community wtih full of free music and cultral activities through out the summer and excellent value for money winter activities.

Finally, don't forget you have to sacrifies in the begining to get what you want in the end.

Re: Positive Work Experience??
 

Hi,

I guess I know about half a dozen brits in my little area, all are working, none post here with glowing report cards. Some are doing really well in management positions, others are working farms, others are manual labours. If you follow the general advice posted here time and again about networking, and have a half decent resume (in US style) you will do OK in the end, after all most canadians so like Brits. Its hard at first for most to adjust to canadian life, but the majority think its worth sticking out. It sounds like you have no illusions about the job market, which helps, so good luck, better to have a go than wonder "what if" in 20 years time.

FWIW I came here to a waiting job, and after a lay off it took me 3 months to land another engineering job locally (slowed down by summer vacation slow down, which make landing any job in the summer a chore), then after a sudden job loss I went straight back into my old position again. Once you have been here a while the canadian experience thing is a non issue, perhaps its just used to test how serious you are about staying in this country:(

Thats my 2c on the matter anyway.

Re: Positive Work Experience??
 

it all depends where you settle and what you'll settle for really.

we managed to get everyday jobs a week after we arrived. ok i was working as a waitress and my husband in a video store. but it brought money in as we continued to look. i actually applied for a managerial role in a retail store and got it, despite trying to get work in my field (IT). my husband also found contract work doing office admin stuff. which is what he was doing in the uk. like i said, it all depends on what kind of work you are willing to take.

Re: Positive Work Experience??
 

Don't forget that just because you had or are having a 'Positive' experience in the UK that it won't go bad and turn into a nightmare. I have been shit on without it being my problem. Caught up in a big power struggle that meant throwing staff at the wall looked good in Court for one party. Long time ago - hence why I am and will work for myself. Life will change. It may start good in Canada for a few years then turn sour. Until you try you won't know.

Re: Positive Work Experience??
 

Ouch ... people call me negative ...

Re: Positive Work Experience??
 

hey i didnt know you were training people in that! i would have applied.... ;)

Re: Positive Work Experience??
 

Just stand around, it sticks to you after you've been in one of life's bunkers for a while ... the trick is to be able to shake it off again when you're on the upswing.

Happy days are here again .....

Re: Positive Work Experience??
 

that's what i need to learn.. the trick!

Re: Positive Work Experience??
 

What kind of trick are we talking about here? ;)

Re: Positive Work Experience??
 

Repeat after me: "Life is too short for this, don't let the bastards get you down" ... works for me.

I liked Dr Phil's solution for a woman who was complaining about all the pressure a family Christmas put on her .... "Darn well don't do it then" ... it's become my philosophy to live by.

Re: Positive Work Experience??
 

heh heh

Re: Positive Work Experience??
 

awww dr phil!

all kidding aside.. very very true! life is way too short..

Re: Positive Work Experience??
 

I like Dr Phil, it's the one day time show I'm willing to watch ...

Re: Positive Work Experience??
 

Always look on the bright side of life... da da.. da da da da.

Give a little whistle.

Kids call me a miserable B'strd. Wife thinks I am a manic depressive. People cross the street when they see me coming. Even dogs run away and hide. Why would I be NEGATIVE Fer F'ck sake!

I didn't do it. No sir not me. Innocent.

GUILTY - TEN YEARS.

(Actually been working 22 - feels like 122)

Actually not neagitive - just more boredom setting in.

Someone on another forum got excited today. Got Medical requests after 17 months. That means VISA by the year 2020 I think. Oooooh, woopy!

Re: Positive Work Experience??
 

You negative and all this time I just thought it was that wicked Scottish sense of humour McGrouch......

Re: Positive Work Experience??
 

Once you've been here a few years the memories of waiting for the visa start to fade ... I remember it as feeling like being in limbo ... mentally I moved to Canada on my first fact finding trip, after that I just didn't want to live in the UK anymore and felt like I was just wasting my time being there.

Then you get here, tail wagging like an excited puppy and you get the "oh wow, another excited immigrant" reaction when you meet people ... I guess I've fallen over that fence now and I'm in the "hey, it's only Canada" camp.

Re: Positive Work Experience??
 

Someone on another forum got excited today. Got Medical requests after 17 months. That means VISA by the year 2020 I think. Oooooh, woopy![/QUOTE]

I have been lurking for over a year and have enjoyed a lot of the contributions (positive and negative). The above quote moved me to sign up as I felt that it required a response. I am not sure what "excited" means but I attach a copy of the posting in question below and leave you all to make your own judgements. I stress that I am not about to pick a fight on my maiden posting to this site.

Hello All,

Our med requests arrived, dated exactly 17 months after our AOR date. It would appear that the CHC conveyor belt does work (after a fashion). My guess is that there is an element of computer flagging involved (I find the exact intervals too much to be a mere coincidence). So new year, new country, new life. Frankly it hasn't sunk in yet but it is slowly dawning upon us the work that we need to do before we head out to Guelph, Ontario in July(?). Shipping arrangements, house hunting, kids schools, etc..

We wish you all a very happy new year and hope that those in line receive some good news from the CHC pretty soon.

Re: Positive Work Experience??
 

The word 'me' is missing. Got 'me' excited. The year 2020 was a bit of scarcasim.

Why would you upset anyone by responding?

Happy New Year and good luck.