FANTASTIC!! Well Done

Certainly although it's not a typical situation. Still I think there's some learnings for everyone....

I have already contracted to the company's office in Netherlands. I was team leading a successful project which won awards. I then strategically took a holiday in Vancouver where their main office is based, and spared a half day to speak to them. At the time they weren't hiring but I was interviewed for a position in Toronto, although I was keen to be in Vancouver.

My previous experience with the company was undoubtedly a head start, but by no means guaranteed my position. I believe there is a strategy which you have to find with a specific employer, although Canadians are more relaxed which is great in a work environment, but terrible when you're waiting for them to decide!

I took advice from here, to present my CV in Letter size (just change the page settings for the paper), and start referring to it as a Resume. I didn't bother changing the spelling as (1) I'm not sure of all the Canadian spelling, (2) The company is made up of lots of foreign workers.

Tips:

Get a single contact and work with them

Be very polite and genuinely befriend them (not difficult) if you can

Keep in contact with them frequently.

Always start the conversation with a positive.

Don't try and impose timelines on them.

One thing I've really learned (I think) is communicating like a Canadian would. The exact choice of words is vital. Brits use words like "problem" and a Canadian would call this an "opportunity".

Don't think that the fact you might have other interviews will speed it up or make them choose you.

My strategy
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My application didn't run like clockwork. I was switched between different roles, told that they couldn't wait until the permit arrives etc. Then interviewed by several people with long gaps and never any next steps.

In the end I had to put it to them that as there was pressure on me, having sold my house, I needed to reassure my family of our next steps. After I found out the prospect was (still) very real, I offered to fund an interview trip to help everyone including me decide. This cost me in excess of £1,000 but I was confident is was worth it.

I made it blindingly clear when I interviewed that I wasn't just sparing an afternoon from a vacation to see them, but had funded the trip because of my enthusiasm for the role and belief in my future in their company. I didn't (perhaps stupidly) have any other interviews arranged elsewhere, so I was telling the absolute truth. My approach was that you only need one job (at a time). So if the prospect is strong, put everything into it.

I had near to 2 days of solid interviews ranging from Executive through peer level to people who'd report into the hire. I also did a walk around to have a few minutes with each person in the team. This is really important as I'd have otherwise been seen to be sitting in the corner keeping myself to myself. While the latter is totally rational and exactly what I wanted to do, it's critical to start fitting in and for them to see this.

I was also invited to a team meeting as well as a company quarterly update. I cancelled a private arrangement to attend these, although I did make sure they knew I'd done this.

One thing I've seen mentioned on this board a lot is that in Canada, jobs are often filled through word of mouth, much more so than in Britain. Behind most industries is a network of people who are the fuel behind employment. I didn't have any success whatsoever with job sites but just keeping in contact with a couple of people and following up their leads worked well. Here's a good starting point and I'll certainly try and help as a contact point.

Finally do the legwork yourself. Thanks to this board and kind attention of you guys, I was able to demonstrate a knowledge of Canada, its culture, its lifestyle and economics as well as the immigration process. The company's immigration person told me that I obviously knew about the process and it is clear I want to make it work. I also got this from the HR manager. In my case I've wanted to do this since the late 90s and made it clear it wasn't a spur of the moment decision and was based on informed choice and with my family in mind. Another good question to ask is "what happened if it didn't work out here? Would I be deported". The truth is a little grey but any rational minded person should ask that of the employer. This is a hypothetical situation, but anyone who just takes the risk without asking is a danger to themselves.

Saying that you just want to leave Britain but having no plans and not having found out enough about a country, won't look good if you're applying for a position (particularly a decision making one). You should demonstrate a list of benefits beyond work. Mine were lifestyle, geographic, education as well as putting family first (which I've haven't just done).

Quick Summary
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Be honest and genuine

Use Canadian language (without the accent)

Prioritise personal contacts over job listings

Follow up leads and prospects quickly

Have good reasons for wanting to emigrate


Good luck.

P.S. I will post any opportunities or prosepcts I hear about on this board.

Thanks very much for that, you seem to have got it all sorted.

What industry are you in?

Where about in Cheshire are you? We are in Warrington.

Sue

Once uou get PR this should be problem (unless you misbehave), but sounds like you will start on a temporay work permit like me. The work permit is specific to the employer, but there is nothing to stop you getting another company to sponser you for a work permit while you are in Canada. The key issue that should you leave your employer for wahtever reason you have until the end of your work permit to find an alternative. Try to get more that a yearly renewable permit to start with. I was lucky and got 3 years straight away, so this it not out of the question. Also try to get a clause in your contact that should they get rid of you and the legal notice period spans your work permit expiry that they should renew your work permit.

Trust me, I've spent ages looking into this since the company that I'm working for is not very financially sound at the moment, so tends to RIFF people without a second thought (just done another 10% of worldwide workforce, ouch). As you said, networking is key. Now I've been in Calgary for 4 days I've been told that I can have a job whenever I want one with one other company and have been told to keep in touch by a number of others. All because of local contacts.

Excellent news!! Glad to see that there are exceptions to the "impossible to get a job from outside Canada" rule.

Best wishes for the future.

H

Oops. Meant no problem. Must learn to type