Hey hey everyone

After lots of initial research and so on/so forth, I've let the Canada thing slip a little. Not because I've lost the passion but because life has generally been occuring.

From deaths in the family to the unexpected worldwide success of the 'Embrace Life' project (which so many of you were so kind about) to complete meltdown in the UK Government spending (I'm a 'civil' servant) which has put the skids under my job, it's been an interesting 9 months since we returned from our trip to Toronto.

Looking back, I'm so glad that we went to TO. Aside from the fact it was the most awesome holiday imaginable, it really cemented our desire to move to Canada. Had we not had that, life's been so tricky that it all might have slipped further back...

So I'm trying to pick up the various threads where I left them. I understand that the rules have changed a bit - and on various online tests I still don't get enough points (but have been advised by a couple of immigration types that my experience should make up for not having a degree). It's looking like I'm coming out at 61 rather than the 67 because I haven't got a job offer or a degree. Grr. But I do have 10 years in the marketplace, 8 in my chosen profession and now three awards

I'm not afraid to admit that it's all bloomin' daunting. It's finding a place to start again that is the problem.

And I'm thinking that we're in a Catch-22. On one hand, we could apply now as the process is still somewhat longwinded from what I can glean. But we'd probably get rejected because of the points.
Or we could try and get a job first - but then if I got any kind of offer, the application wouldn't be in place. Arghh...

So... Advance warnings of some basic questions... I'll hit the Wikis etc again and try to get on top of it all...

But it would be really helpful if anyone has got a 'list' of the steps that they went through.
E.G. 1) decide to go. 2) Decide where to go. 3) Apply or 3) Look for a job etc!

Thank you all - have missed it on here...

In a nutshell, we applied under FSW1 with plans to live in TO as we had lots of contacts and friends there

8 months and $1400 later, we were rejected on points, being 2 points short and condemned by the IO that we wouldn't be able to settle *pffft*

I hit the job market immediately and after 300+ job applications, landed a job in Halifax

Armed with 10 extra points for arranged employment we are now in the system again applying via FSW2

As it happens we are pleased with the way things have turned out

So it can be done, that hard part being getting that illusive job offer

Good luck!