If you want to find a job in Canada then you are going to have to get off your butt and do something about it.

You can't expect that a job will be given to you as soon as you land. Think of it from an employers perspective, they probably don't want to take the risk of employing a foreign national, beacuse they don't have to Canadian experience and therefore may not be as competant as a Canadian.

You have to prove to them that you have the skills necessary. You have to make sure your "Canadian" resume and cover letter are perfect. That you are well prepared for a "Canadian" style interview.

One of the best ways to find a job is to NETWORK. This is absolutely the best thing you can do. Network with everybody you meet, they may know someone who can give you a job. Only about 20% of jobs in Canada are ever advertised, the rest are filled through networking.

It really is a who you know, not what you know culture.

If these seem to failing then it may be worth taking a one year college or uni program where one term is an internship or co-op placement. This way you not only get Canadian qualifications but also work experience, that will help you get a foot on the ladder.

Good luck, its not easy, but worth it in the end!!

Int.

My first job I got thru an employment agency - paid about $8 an hour and was in a warehouse, because I completed my contract as required they were quite willing to send me out on another contract this time in an office making $10 an hour, after 3 months the company hired me outright and paid me $12 an hour ...and so on ..thats how I got my start in Canada, working for an agency is an excellant way to get your foot in the door and Network!

I can certainly vouch for the agency route. Fair enough it might be small pay at first but it`ll get your foot in the door. Most of all, it`s that valauble Canadian work experience, the more the better.

Its seems though, in fairness, that there there is a level of discrimination against british workers, the experience of some posters in this forums, seem to indicate that UK workers are very much second class or even third class citizens.

I agree with what you say regarding getting started, but it's important to go in with your eyes open, and really expect to be treated unfairly until you can get that vital canadian experience, and then you can leave.

Just out of interest, have any of you regulars got a web site where one can check current employment legislation in Ca?.
cheers

I don't actually think that it is discrimination per se against UK workers. I think it is the usual situation that exists in many countries to varying degrees. I had the same situation, as a Canadian, when I came to Britain - my experience wasn't rated as I didn't have British references, etc and I had to work my way up. In Ireland, it was even worse where anyone hiring me would have had to prove that no one else in the country (ie. Irish) could do the job before they could take me on. Working with the homeless in London, I also met many many very well qualified people from other countries who had nowhere to live or were cleaning toilets as their qualification wasn't being recognised - I worked with a woman from Ethiopia who was a UN translator there and spoke 5 languages but was a cleaner in a London shelter. It happens everywhere and I don't think people should be put off by it as employment should never be the main reason for emigrating - especially if you haven't got a job first!

To speak to the Canadian experience, I also feel that some of the protectionism of Canadian jobs does come from living next door to the states and not far from Mexico. Free trade with both had a huge effect on the country in the 80's when the 'deal was done' with the US. Many companies up and moved south and were encouraged to do so by the States so that they did not have to pay a proper wage (you think $8 - 10 an hour is bad?!) and did not have to give any pesky benefits like health insurance, maternity pay, etc. This all had a huge effect on the country and, like anyone who lives to their principles, Canada has sometimes struggled to be everything to everybody and has had to take some hard decisions around immigration and employment.

As a Canadian without Canadian work experience, but with years of experience over here in Britain and quite a good job, I am nervous about going back myself. I know that I will probably end up temping and/or waitressing until my partner and I get settled and my career path may change forever. But, that's all part of the adventure....

Maybe it has more to do with unrealistic expectations. A newcomer can't realistically expect to move horizontally and take up an identical position to the one that they left. Don't forget that other people are applying for the same job who can fit in and get up to speed much more easily because they're locals.

It's a matter of starting again but it doesn't take that long if you can adjust.

i have to go to CDI to have my book keeping and accountancy skills canadian acredited, i will have to sit an exam for that, the good thing is i will have the canadian diploma for my skills which will help with employment