Left Eye

Hi everyone, I'm a Canadian citizen but have been living in the UK for the last 14 years and I just moved back to Vancouver. I've been looking for a job in ECommerce or Business Analysis for about a month, and despite applying for many positions, I've only landed one interview. I've heard from other returning Canadians that it's much more difficult to find a job here than in England, but any anecdotes or tips might lift my spirits. I'm trying to stay positive, but it's a bit disheartening to send applications off everyday, and not get any responses. Thanks for any advice.

JamesM

Welcome to Canada.

I've been looking for a decent job for 7 years.

In the interim I've compromised my career and taken what I can find.

One month isn't very long. You'll find some of the firms will take you 4 or 5 weeks to call you back. People here are slow and in no rush to hire people because the work they do is generally not important.

One piece of advice, although it's not as effective as it used to be, is to target hiring managers directly on LinkedIn or via email. It's a better method than putting it into an automated system where antiquated key words are looked for by some ill clued recruiter or HR blocker.

The advantage is your one of them so you when be subjected to the lack of "canadian experience/incompetence" that the rest of us get penalised for.

scrubbedexpat091

Vancouver can be a tricky place for jobs. Eventually you will likely find something, but it requires patience and if being selective to certain jobs or industries may take even longer, so the less selective the better chance at finding something.

Expect lower average wags vs other parts of Canada or elsewhere, despite the high cost of living, its generally an employers market and they don't need to offer high wages to attract people.

A month of not hearing anything, not unusual, may take months to hear back from companies, I had a call back from a company this month that I applied to in April, I had forgotten altogether I even applied let alone for what position.

tweed_wearer

Thought about HSBC, LuluLemon or Aritzia?

Left Eye

Yep, have applied for the above and more. I think I 'm just keen to get back into work and I need to be a bit more patient....I knew it wouldn't be like London. It just gets a bit boring sending off resumes everyday with no response.

JonboyE

You should read the job hunting articles in the wiki. You are not that different from newcomers from the UK. You have to be more proactive. Just sending resumes is not always an effective way of finding employment.

beckiwoo

Or MEC!!

There are other companies whose HQ are in Vancouver