Originally Posted by SchnookoLoly

+1 for making the move if it's what you want to do!

My husband was in a similar position, he didn't want to leave his very good banking job in the UK before knowing he had something to come to in Canada. I think he is in the minority where this worked, but this is what we did.

We booked a trip to Toronto for two weeks, and then about 5-6 weeks before the trip, he started contacting recruiters in Toronto saying that he had his Canadian PR (so no sponsorship required) and wanted to move to Toronto, and that he'd booked a two week trip where he would be available for interviews. Previous to this he had turned his CV into a Resume, and updated his LinkedIn, including changing his location to Toronto. He also used a Canadian address on his resume (my parents), and signed up for a phone service that redirected calls to his UK cell so that he could provide a Canadian phone number on his resume.

The recruiters then had some time to chat to him on the phone and organize some interviews for when he'd be in Toronto. He did 11 interviews with 2 banks in the first week we were there. (He'd done one phone interview with one of the banks a week or so before we went.)

So we went for those two weeks, he did a load of interviews, and left with a verbal job offer. It took them a few weeks to sort out particulars but once he had a written offer he resigned his job in the UK and started in Toronto about 6ish weeks later.

Now, most people are saying you do need to be in Canada to get a job... and probably 95% of the time that's true. I think my husband got a bit lucky, but he also worked hard at it, and we knew that if this didn't work we'd have to pick up and move.

He got his job through Thorek/Scott in Toronto, I'd recommend them. He was dealing with Michael Thorek and he was great.

Originally Posted by JamesM

Late to this discussion some what but if you are just starting your accounting qualifications then you'd be better off coming to Canada and commencing the local accounting qualification rather than arriving with something from elsewhere.

Sadly despite education here being completely dumbed down so people can live in their goldfish bowl they still expect new arrivals to hold the relevant Canadian certified pieces of paper.

Originally Posted by sochrisash

I work in media, and I'll be moving out without a job in September... After years and years of planning I realised it wouldn't happen unless I just moved!

Good lucks!

Originally Posted by Pizzawheel

Excellent. Let's book the pub now.

Originally Posted by Princess89

Good luck to you too! if you're moving to Toronto we can be friends

Originally Posted by sochrisash

It's looking like it will be Toronto, so deal!

Originally Posted by Princess89

Where else are you thinking to go? Vancouver ?

Originally Posted by MarkG

But many of us did it. Quite possibly most. It's much harder to do at forty-five than twenty-five, when you still have plenty of time to start over.

Originally Posted by pinzo

I read some of your posts, and it takes me back about 7 years.
I know exactly how you feel, not wanting to let go of a good job for who know what...potentially nothing! I know how you're feeling, I really do (as do probably 90% of people who visit here.)

I wonder if you could ask your employer for an 'unpaid leave of absence'?
That was the turning point for me...and I didn't even have a spectacular job in the UK, but it was safe, I had been there for several years and I worked with my best friend.

For me, I got one year leave unpaid to try my luck in Canada, if after a year I didn't feel it was working I had the opportunity to go back to my job.
If you can secure something like that it is a win win situation. It doesn't hurt to ask!

Fast forward nearly 7 years, I have citizenship, met a wonderful man and we had a beautiful 1 yr old. I got a job in the same field of work I had in the UK (better job actually), and I love where I work.

If I can pass on one thing to you.....please don't stress over it, I did and it nearly made me ill.

Best of luck in your decision, whatever you choose it will be the right choice for you

Originally Posted by Princess89

I know it's different for everyone but how long did it take you then? also if you were given a year didn't you have to come back and work your months notice ? that's what recruiters tell me is a problem - even if I did get a job on an extended visit I'd have to come back and then move which isn't ideal for my employer ?

Originally Posted by jandro

I doubt most. Emigrating at 35 is still quite young. Since the OP already has PR then it might be worth going but I would have a back up plan.

Originally Posted by Jsmth321

35 is young to some, and old to others, all depends