IT work (Oracle in Ottawa) - experiences/anecdotes
Nov 26th 2006 | 5:43 am
#16
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 404
From: Ottawa, ON
Re: IT work (Oracle in Ottawa) - experiences/anecdotes
Originally Posted by raistlin
Been to a few bars there - an Irish one, one on the corner near a Fish Restaurant upstairs, and one somewhere near that cafe on the corner (Double Deckers or something).
When I used to go as a single man, I'd start with my friends in The Glebe, then make our way into town - by the time I got to the Market...... - Do remember Zaphods though - and some other club where I felt like the best pool player in the world 'cos the pockets were big enough to fall in.
When I used to go as a single man, I'd start with my friends in The Glebe, then make our way into town - by the time I got to the Market...... - Do remember Zaphods though - and some other club where I felt like the best pool player in the world 'cos the pockets were big enough to fall in.
...and we all know who the neighbour of Zaphod's is - something to do with "fax"?
Nov 26th 2006 | 7:52 am
#17
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 458
From: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Re: IT work (Oracle in Ottawa) - experiences/anecdotes
Originally Posted by raistlin
Hi all,
We're at the "request for medicals" stage in the PR process. We're looking to go to Ottawa next May if we pass the medicals (new baby on the way, so can't go any sooner).
I've read a few posts about finding IT work, some sying it's a total nightmare, others more positive.
Are there any other Oracle professionals out there (DBA/Apps DBA) who've been through the job hunting process, or know of somebody who has?
I'm thinking about Ottawa in particular.
I've contacted a couple of agents, and I've seen the various 'networking is the key' posts.
Any "DBA's walk into high paid careers as soon as they arrive" posts would be most welcome
We're at the "request for medicals" stage in the PR process. We're looking to go to Ottawa next May if we pass the medicals (new baby on the way, so can't go any sooner).
I've read a few posts about finding IT work, some sying it's a total nightmare, others more positive.
Are there any other Oracle professionals out there (DBA/Apps DBA) who've been through the job hunting process, or know of somebody who has?
I'm thinking about Ottawa in particular.
I've contacted a couple of agents, and I've seen the various 'networking is the key' posts.
Any "DBA's walk into high paid careers as soon as they arrive" posts would be most welcome
Have you been following me....?
I too am an Oracle DBA, with lots of Apps DBA experience and I am almost (hopefully) at the medical stage. We are also expecting another baby, so our application will be postponed for a few months, our baby is due early March. As far as job hunting goes, I visited Nova Scotia this year and had a great meeting with CNC Global (Agency, this one in Halifax), they were very helpful (even though I am not a PR) and gave me pointers on how to lay out my resumé. They also said that once I have my resumé up to spec. to send it to CGI and Keane. These two companies may not respond but will definitely hold you on file. Before you land, chase them up and update your information, CNC said they usually place DBAs quickly.
I must ask, have you taken the OCA or OCP certification exams ? I'm in two minds whether this is an advantage or not ?
Patrick.
Keane :
Email address for Career info [email protected]
http://www.keane.com/careers/openings.php
CGI:
http://www.cgi.com/web/en/careers/working_at_cgi.htm#
Nov 26th 2006 | 8:57 am
#18
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 57
Re: IT work (Oracle in Ottawa) - experiences/anecdotes
Originally Posted by smitp11
Raistlin,
Have you been following me....?
I too am an Oracle DBA, with lots of Apps DBA experience and I am almost (hopefully) at the medical stage. We are also expecting another baby, so our application will be postponed for a few months, our baby is due early March. As far as job hunting goes, I visited Nova Scotia this year and had a great meeting with CNC Global (Agency, this one in Halifax), they were very helpful (even though I am not a PR) and gave me pointers on how to lay out my resumé. They also said that once I have my resumé up to spec. to send it to CGI and Keane. These two companies may not respond but will definitely hold you on file. Before you land, chase them up and update your information, CNC said they usually place DBAs quickly.
I must ask, have you taken the OCA or OCP certification exams ? I'm in two minds whether this is an advantage or not ?
Patrick.
Keane :
Email address for Career info [email protected]
http://www.keane.com/careers/openings.php
CGI:
http://www.cgi.com/web/en/careers/working_at_cgi.htm#
Have you been following me....?
I too am an Oracle DBA, with lots of Apps DBA experience and I am almost (hopefully) at the medical stage. We are also expecting another baby, so our application will be postponed for a few months, our baby is due early March. As far as job hunting goes, I visited Nova Scotia this year and had a great meeting with CNC Global (Agency, this one in Halifax), they were very helpful (even though I am not a PR) and gave me pointers on how to lay out my resumé. They also said that once I have my resumé up to spec. to send it to CGI and Keane. These two companies may not respond but will definitely hold you on file. Before you land, chase them up and update your information, CNC said they usually place DBAs quickly.
I must ask, have you taken the OCA or OCP certification exams ? I'm in two minds whether this is an advantage or not ?
Patrick.
Keane :
Email address for Career info [email protected]
http://www.keane.com/careers/openings.php
CGI:
http://www.cgi.com/web/en/careers/working_at_cgi.htm#
That is freaky... You want even stranger - I used to live in Wiltshire too (West Kingston) and work in Chippenham as a DBA!! Our baby is due early Feb.
I met up with a guy called Brian Rogic at Ajilon in Ottawa (Ajilon.com), last year. I haven't spoken to him in a while, but he again was pretty helpful.
I've been in e-mail contact with a Heather Kobel of Procom (Procom.ca). Her e-mail bounced last week, so I thnk she's left now. But she was pretty helpful to - resume layout, expected salaries etc($70,000-90,000 I'm told). I'm looking for another contact there now.
I've always been optimistic about finding work. DBA's always seem to be pretty saught after to me. But a few horror stories I've seen out and about are concerning me a bit.
I was kind of hoping for others in our field who may have some experiences, since as you probably know, what field of IT you're in will matter a great deal.
In addition I didn't want to rely on the word of a recruitment consultant, I may be cynical, but they do tend to tell you what you want to hear.
Have you seen
http://www.workoplis.com - I'm keeping my eye on which recruiters place the most adverts - Teksystems seem to be pretty prolific.
As for OCA, OCP, never thought about them to be honest. I've been an Oracle DBA for 10 yrs now (3 of those as an Apps DBA), I'm kind of hoping that the experience will see me through. If I'd only been doing it for a couple of years I may be thinking about it, but to be honest, a few years ago everybody seemd to ask for "OCP qualified" DBA's - now I never see it really mentioned anymore.
Nov 26th 2006 | 8:57 am
#19
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 57
Re: IT work (Oracle in Ottawa) - experiences/anecdotes
Originally Posted by smitp11
Raistlin,
Have you been following me....?
I too am an Oracle DBA, with lots of Apps DBA experience and I am almost (hopefully) at the medical stage. We are also expecting another baby, so our application will be postponed for a few months, our baby is due early March. As far as job hunting goes, I visited Nova Scotia this year and had a great meeting with CNC Global (Agency, this one in Halifax), they were very helpful (even though I am not a PR) and gave me pointers on how to lay out my resumé. They also said that once I have my resumé up to spec. to send it to CGI and Keane. These two companies may not respond but will definitely hold you on file. Before you land, chase them up and update your information, CNC said they usually place DBAs quickly.
I must ask, have you taken the OCA or OCP certification exams ? I'm in two minds whether this is an advantage or not ?
Patrick.
Keane :
Email address for Career info [email protected]
http://www.keane.com/careers/openings.php
CGI:
http://www.cgi.com/web/en/careers/working_at_cgi.htm#
Have you been following me....?
I too am an Oracle DBA, with lots of Apps DBA experience and I am almost (hopefully) at the medical stage. We are also expecting another baby, so our application will be postponed for a few months, our baby is due early March. As far as job hunting goes, I visited Nova Scotia this year and had a great meeting with CNC Global (Agency, this one in Halifax), they were very helpful (even though I am not a PR) and gave me pointers on how to lay out my resumé. They also said that once I have my resumé up to spec. to send it to CGI and Keane. These two companies may not respond but will definitely hold you on file. Before you land, chase them up and update your information, CNC said they usually place DBAs quickly.
I must ask, have you taken the OCA or OCP certification exams ? I'm in two minds whether this is an advantage or not ?
Patrick.
Keane :
Email address for Career info [email protected]
http://www.keane.com/careers/openings.php
CGI:
http://www.cgi.com/web/en/careers/working_at_cgi.htm#
sorry, forgot to say thanks for the links!
Nov 26th 2006 | 9:10 am
#20
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 458
From: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Re: IT work (Oracle in Ottawa) - experiences/anecdotes
Originally Posted by raistlin
That is freaky... You want even stranger - I used to live in Wiltshire too (West Kingston) and work in Chippenham as a DBA!! Our baby is due early Feb.
I met up with a guy called Brian Rogic at Ajilon in Ottawa (Ajilon.com), last year. I haven't spoken to him in a while, but he again was pretty helpful.
I've been in e-mail contact with a Heather Kobel of Procom (Procom.ca). Her e-mail bounced last week, so I thnk she's left now. But she was pretty helpful to - resume layout, expected salaries etc($70,000-90,000 I'm told). I'm looking for another contact there now.
I've always been optimistic about finding work. DBA's always seem to be pretty saught after to me. But a few horror stories I've seen out and about are concerning me a bit.
I was kind of hoping for others in our field who may have some experiences, since as you probably know, what field of IT you're in will matter a great deal.
In addition I didn't want to rely on the word of a recruitment consultant, I may be cynical, but they do tend to tell you what you want to hear.
Have you seen
http://www.workoplis.com - I'm keeping my eye on which recruiters place the most adverts - Teksystems seem to be pretty prolific.
As for OCA, OCP, never thought about them to be honest. I've been an Oracle DBA for 10 yrs now (3 of those as an Apps DBA), I'm kind of hoping that the experience will see me through. If I'd only been doing it for a couple of years I may be thinking about it, but to be honest, a few years ago everybody seemd to ask for "OCP qualified" DBA's - now I never see it really mentioned anymore.
I met up with a guy called Brian Rogic at Ajilon in Ottawa (Ajilon.com), last year. I haven't spoken to him in a while, but he again was pretty helpful.
I've been in e-mail contact with a Heather Kobel of Procom (Procom.ca). Her e-mail bounced last week, so I thnk she's left now. But she was pretty helpful to - resume layout, expected salaries etc($70,000-90,000 I'm told). I'm looking for another contact there now.
I've always been optimistic about finding work. DBA's always seem to be pretty saught after to me. But a few horror stories I've seen out and about are concerning me a bit.
I was kind of hoping for others in our field who may have some experiences, since as you probably know, what field of IT you're in will matter a great deal.
In addition I didn't want to rely on the word of a recruitment consultant, I may be cynical, but they do tend to tell you what you want to hear.
Have you seen
http://www.workoplis.com - I'm keeping my eye on which recruiters place the most adverts - Teksystems seem to be pretty prolific.
As for OCA, OCP, never thought about them to be honest. I've been an Oracle DBA for 10 yrs now (3 of those as an Apps DBA), I'm kind of hoping that the experience will see me through. If I'd only been doing it for a couple of years I may be thinking about it, but to be honest, a few years ago everybody seemd to ask for "OCP qualified" DBA's - now I never see it really mentioned anymore.
Keep in touch,
Patrick.
Nov 29th 2006 | 7:06 am
#21
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 57
Re: IT work (Oracle in Ottawa) - experiences/anecdotes
Originally Posted by smitp11
Ah yes, sunny Chippenham. Well I'm currently working in Swindon and been a DBA for just over 6 years, mainly in Oracle, Oracle Apps and a little SQL Server. I have also heard the horror stories about IT recruitment. I really want a career change, but will probably end up working in IT in the interim, or at CostCo. Workopolis is very good at what it does, but I do believe they only get jobs that cannot be filled by networking or placing current Agency staff, so we are only seeing a small percentage of the actual available work. Agencies do tend to sell it big and make huge promises, but what other choice do we have ? I also think you will find it easier in Ottawa than I will in the Atlantic provinces, how's your French by the way? I would be interested to see your CV, if you don't mind, I can send you mine too if you are interested, it has now full reworked after the meeting in Halifax this year.
Keep in touch,
Patrick.
Keep in touch,
Patrick.
Know what you mean, part of my plan is to go over, knuckle down in IT for a while, get setled in and then look for a career change.
My French is terrible
But I've been told for our line of work it's not too much of a problem. Even in the Government jobs in Ottawa.Well if workopolis is just a small percentage of the work - I feel happier, there always seems to be DBA work on there.
Is there an OUG in Halifax, I found the Ottawa OUG to be pretty helpful in the fact it lists all the Oracle customers in the area.
I'll send you my CV after the weekend (got to concentrate on Christmas shopping in London for the weekend)- be good to see yours aswell. My Recruitment agent said mine was O.K but didn't offer much more than that.
Cheers
Jan 15th 2007 | 7:15 am
#22
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 57
Re: IT work (Oracle in Ottawa) - experiences/anecdotes
Ah yes, sunny Chippenham. Well I'm currently working in Swindon and been a DBA for just over 6 years, mainly in Oracle, Oracle Apps and a little SQL Server. I have also heard the horror stories about IT recruitment. I really want a career change, but will probably end up working in IT in the interim, or at CostCo. Workopolis is very good at what it does, but I do believe they only get jobs that cannot be filled by networking or placing current Agency staff, so we are only seeing a small percentage of the actual available work. Agencies do tend to sell it big and make huge promises, but what other choice do we have ? I also think you will find it easier in Ottawa than I will in the Atlantic provinces, how's your French by the way? I would be interested to see your CV, if you don't mind, I can send you mine too if you are interested, it has now full reworked after the meeting in Halifax this year.
Keep in touch,
Patrick.
Keep in touch,
Patrick.
Patrick,
Sorry, not been in touch with my C.V yet, got waylayed with Christmas and iminent arrival of number 2 child.
Well it seems that this world is even smaller than we thought - had an e-mail from Colin today - guess he's probably told you already - couldn't believe it.
Anyway, will get my C.V off my old laptop as soon as I can.
