We are hoping to emigrate to Canada via TWP/PNP, I work in Software Development and there is a blanket LMO for the area I work so luckily I won't have to go through the process of securing a LMO.

We won't be in a position to move to Canada until September 2009, could be later depending how we get on selling the house.

I was wondering how early I should start applying for jobs, obviously most employers want to know when you can start so don't want to seem like a time waster because I can't move for a while yet.

I would interested hear, if anyone out there was in a similar position and what they did.

Thanks
Neil

I think the LMO is just per company, not profession. There may be companies that have pre-arranged LMO's but I don't think there is such a thing as a blanket LMO (could be wrong though).

There is a link on CIC website, about a special categories for working temporarily in Canada.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/special-tech.asp

I have been in contact with a recruitment consultant in the BC area who confirmed she has helped people come to Canada using the TWP and PNP.

Also with the property prices being so high in BC, I've started looking at other provinces as well.

I was really just trying to get an idea how early people starting applying for jobs.

Ah, ok, didn't know that. I think if your occupation is under so much pressure you won't have any problems getting a job, but you should start to build up a network of people who are in similar professions so that you know who to talk to when you are ready to move. The wikis on job hunting etc are highly recommended (http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Category:Canada) and Linked In (http://www.linkedin.com/) is a good tool too.

Out of interest who is the consultant? Most people here have found consultants to be no help whatsoever with job hunting.

It was a company called Everest Recruitment, they are based in the Okanagan area.

The people that run the Company, emigrated to Canada from the UK so are aware of the issues involved.

Thanks, haven't come across them before - mainly because most recruitment consultants don't usually touch people who can't work in Canada. I'm sure there will be plenty of people who can answer your questions better than me. Good luck.

If you build a network especially in an industry that is crying out for people, you should have no problem finding work on your own. Job hunting overseas is no different to long distance at home. If they want you interview you can do it via phone or Internet, or jump on a plane, a good investment in your future.

If you have not done so, making a visit to the area you want to settle would be a good move, with a list of potential employers in hand, arrange meetings (not necessarily job interviews) to get to know people and hand out resumes. At this point you can tell them about your skills (show them even better) and let them know when you are moving over and available for work if they know of anyone interested. A year out, soft sell is likely better, unless what you do is so high end that they must have you and will wait.

A 2nd visit 6 months before you move with a harder push on securing a job if you have not got one. A large number of jobs, skilled and unskilled get filled without ever being advertised. There is a lot of who knows who (not just who you know, but who knows you and what you are looking for). I got my first job by my resume being passed through two different business people who were not looking to hire, but saw a good fit for a colleague of theirs.

Networking gives you the best chance of success without a doubt, but it has to be planned and worked at.