UK28

Hi,

I am a civil engineer working for a top main contractor in London UK and about to get a working permit.

I have had several interviews and contacting contractors for commercial/industrial construction employment. I have had positive feedback and promises of further interviews. However it is sooooo slow, where I don't here anything for weeks. Starting to think of whether there really is as much work going on?

crazydaving

I'm in the same boat mate. I've been after this one company since June last year and i am still in regular contact with promising potential to get a job, but can go weeks without any news. It's a real game of chess!

Hawk13

There is still lots of work - at least there is in BC and Alberta.

I've personally found that for some reason, engineering is a hard nut to crack unless you show up in person.

Awhile ago I was thinking of moving to Calgary and sent out dozens of CV's with no replies. Then I went on a trip to visit a friend in Victoria and decided what the hell, I check out a couple of companies while I'm in town. Had three job offers in one day and figured why bother with Calgary.

Sometimes it's just being in the right place at the right time.

Good luck.

msmyrtle

Also something to bear in mind without being registered with the provincial body you cannot call yourself an 'engineer' in Canada; not sure if you can do so if you are registered in the UK, like using a designation like CPEng (UK) or something..

Maybe change the job title searches when looking at construction companies, Site Representative, Project Coordinator, Construction Coordinator, etc

ArthurBrit

I have been working for CIMA+ for a while, they are a rapidly expanding company with offices all over Canada (based in QB).

http://www.cima.ca/en/home

Some of their main competitors are:

Stantec
AECOMM
SNC Lavalin

There are obviously others but give these companies a try maybe you'll hit on something.

Hawk13

Google "indeed" or "wowjobs" using Civil Engineer, Project Manager for the city your looking for.

Lots of posting in Calgary and Vancouver alone.

canadapr98

Hi Hawk13,

I am new to this forum. I am almost in the same situation as UK28. I have over 8 years of experience as a Mechanical Engineer in power plant industry in the USA, and would like to move to Calgary in the near future (around June 2013). Applying for jobs on Company websites, and recruiter websites; however, no calls yet.

I have applied for APEGA P.Eng.; hopefully I will receive it soon. I am thinking of traveling to Calgary for a week to two to search for jobs in-person. Please provide some tips based on your experience. I am wondering whether I can go directly to the companies and talk to them about job opportunities. Thank you in advance.

Hawk13

Like I mentioned earlier, Google is your friend. If Calgary is where you want to go, google the "job sites" first and make a list.

Go to the company websites and do some research on the company - make notes on the company and some of their applicable projects. Then I would phone the company and try and talk with the office manager or the the division manager that the job would fall under (I found talking to the HR people didn't get you very far). Tell them that you are interested in relocating to Calgary and shortlisted their company - drop in some knowledge about the company from your research. Then tell them that you'll be in Calgary at such and such dates and would appreciate meeting in person.

During my search, I was also contacted by a head hunter that specializes in engineering positions. I already had several offers from my trip to Van Island but he was going to set me up with some companies in Calgary - in the end Van Island trumped Calgary so I didn't persue it. If you want his contact info, PM me.

Hope it helps

canadapr98

Thank you, Hawk13. I will send you a PM.

Hawk13

I think you need to make a certain number of posts to PM - not sure what the magic number is though

canadapr98

Looks like it is 3 posts. Now, I got 3. I will send you a PM. Thanks again.

snowgo

Canadian employers are distant and slow to commit.

cjones

...And eventually they stop returning your phone calls altogether and then, night after night, you end up crying into your pillow- feeling cheap and used...

snowgo

I found myself at Calgary airport in 2007 with my wife and kids, cats and dogs and a container en-route to Van ,about to be put on the next flight back to UK. All because the employer I had been offered the job with had lied to me about submitting the documentation to the authorities. No paperwork had been sent apparently. I managed to get a 3mth temp work permit over the counter which apparently never happens. Welcome to Canada.

energysolutions

Perhaps you are part of the problem, do you find yourself attracted to "Rebel Without A Cause" type employers in the misguided belief that you can change them and shape them into something you`d be comfortable introducing to your Parents?

This romantic notion may be why you end up feeling so low