A Day in the Life of a Canadian Employer
Feb 23rd 2008 | 1:59 pm
#1
Thread Starter
Now on Vancouver Island
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,935
From: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
A Day in the Life of a Canadian Employer
Mr. Canadian Employer leaves home extra early, and rushes to his office.
Before he's even taken off his coat, he rushes to the desk of Ms. Administrative Assistant and says:
"Good morning, Mary. I'm anxious to see if I'll receive any resumes from British job applicants today. Please alert me if you see any. This is your highest priority task today. Don't go off and get a cup of coffee. Don't go to the washroom. Don't take a lunch break. Check the fax machine regularly. Check the mail when it comes in. If you see anything from a British job applicant, call me out of whatever meeting I'm in. Of course I myself will be checking my e-mails regularly."
Does the above scene seem realistic to you? Of course it doesn't. Then why behave as if that's the way things work?
I recently learned a lesson in a home study course I'm doing in marketing. On the CD to which I was listening, the lecturer used the example of a householder whose attention a merchant wanted to capture. As the lecturer asked, "Do people spend their days holding their breath to find out if they'll receive a communication from you?"
The picture he painted was of a housewife standing by the door, waiting for the mail to arrive, neglecting her children, not eating, not going to the bathroom, etc., just waiting to receive a communication from Merchant X. He asked if that was realistic, and of course the answer was that real life would never work that way.
The merchant thinks that the discount or sale or whatever that he/she is offering is very important and that everyone should notice it. But, in real life, people have other things on their minds. You have to do something very clever and captivating to gain their attention. Furthermore, several communications, initiated at intervals, are much more effective than one communique.
It occurred to me to adapt this example to the job hunting situation and point out that, while the unsolicited resume you've sent off to some Canadian employer is important to you, it is of little, if any, importance to that Canadian employer.
If you are in a job hunting mode, please read the Wiki articles on job hunting in Canada. They explain Canada's hiring culture and how you can be noticed (and in a favourable light) in the Canadian employment market.
x
Before he's even taken off his coat, he rushes to the desk of Ms. Administrative Assistant and says:
"Good morning, Mary. I'm anxious to see if I'll receive any resumes from British job applicants today. Please alert me if you see any. This is your highest priority task today. Don't go off and get a cup of coffee. Don't go to the washroom. Don't take a lunch break. Check the fax machine regularly. Check the mail when it comes in. If you see anything from a British job applicant, call me out of whatever meeting I'm in. Of course I myself will be checking my e-mails regularly."
Does the above scene seem realistic to you? Of course it doesn't. Then why behave as if that's the way things work?
I recently learned a lesson in a home study course I'm doing in marketing. On the CD to which I was listening, the lecturer used the example of a householder whose attention a merchant wanted to capture. As the lecturer asked, "Do people spend their days holding their breath to find out if they'll receive a communication from you?"
The picture he painted was of a housewife standing by the door, waiting for the mail to arrive, neglecting her children, not eating, not going to the bathroom, etc., just waiting to receive a communication from Merchant X. He asked if that was realistic, and of course the answer was that real life would never work that way.
The merchant thinks that the discount or sale or whatever that he/she is offering is very important and that everyone should notice it. But, in real life, people have other things on their minds. You have to do something very clever and captivating to gain their attention. Furthermore, several communications, initiated at intervals, are much more effective than one communique.
It occurred to me to adapt this example to the job hunting situation and point out that, while the unsolicited resume you've sent off to some Canadian employer is important to you, it is of little, if any, importance to that Canadian employer.
If you are in a job hunting mode, please read the Wiki articles on job hunting in Canada. They explain Canada's hiring culture and how you can be noticed (and in a favourable light) in the Canadian employment market.
x
Feb 24th 2008 | 10:40 am
#2
Truro NS
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 553
Re: A Day in the Life of a Canadian Employer
Mr. Canadian Employer leaves home extra early, and rushes to his office.
Before he's even taken off his coat, he rushes to the desk of Ms. Administrative Assistant and says:
"Good morning, Mary. I'm anxious to see if I'll receive any resumes from British job applicants today. Please alert me if you see any. This is your highest priority task today. Don't go off and get a cup of coffee. Don't go to the washroom. Don't take a lunch break. Check the fax machine regularly. Check the mail when it comes in. If you see anything from a British job applicant, call me out of whatever meeting I'm in. Of course I myself will be checking my e-mails regularly."
Does the above scene seem realistic to you? Of course it doesn't. Then why behave as if that's the way things work?
I recently learned a lesson in a home study course I'm doing in marketing. On the CD to which I was listening, the lecturer used the example of a householder whose attention a merchant wanted to capture. As the lecturer asked, "Do people spend their days holding their breath to find out if they'll receive a communication from you?"
The picture he painted was of a housewife standing by the door, waiting for the mail to arrive, neglecting her children, not eating, not going to the bathroom, etc., just waiting to receive a communication from Merchant X. He asked if that was realistic, and of course the answer was that real life would never work that way.
The merchant thinks that the discount or sale or whatever that he/she is offering is very important and that everyone should notice it. But, in real life, people have other things on their minds. You have to do something very clever and captivating to gain their attention. Furthermore, several communications, initiated at intervals, are much more effective than one communique.
It occurred to me to adapt this example to the job hunting situation and point out that, while the unsolicited resume you've sent off to some Canadian employer is important to you, it is of little, if any, importance to that Canadian employer.
If you are in a job hunting mode, please read the Wiki articles on job hunting in Canada. They explain Canada's hiring culture and how you can be noticed (and in a favourable light) in the Canadian employment market.
x
Before he's even taken off his coat, he rushes to the desk of Ms. Administrative Assistant and says:
"Good morning, Mary. I'm anxious to see if I'll receive any resumes from British job applicants today. Please alert me if you see any. This is your highest priority task today. Don't go off and get a cup of coffee. Don't go to the washroom. Don't take a lunch break. Check the fax machine regularly. Check the mail when it comes in. If you see anything from a British job applicant, call me out of whatever meeting I'm in. Of course I myself will be checking my e-mails regularly."
Does the above scene seem realistic to you? Of course it doesn't. Then why behave as if that's the way things work?
I recently learned a lesson in a home study course I'm doing in marketing. On the CD to which I was listening, the lecturer used the example of a householder whose attention a merchant wanted to capture. As the lecturer asked, "Do people spend their days holding their breath to find out if they'll receive a communication from you?"
The picture he painted was of a housewife standing by the door, waiting for the mail to arrive, neglecting her children, not eating, not going to the bathroom, etc., just waiting to receive a communication from Merchant X. He asked if that was realistic, and of course the answer was that real life would never work that way.
The merchant thinks that the discount or sale or whatever that he/she is offering is very important and that everyone should notice it. But, in real life, people have other things on their minds. You have to do something very clever and captivating to gain their attention. Furthermore, several communications, initiated at intervals, are much more effective than one communique.
It occurred to me to adapt this example to the job hunting situation and point out that, while the unsolicited resume you've sent off to some Canadian employer is important to you, it is of little, if any, importance to that Canadian employer.
If you are in a job hunting mode, please read the Wiki articles on job hunting in Canada. They explain Canada's hiring culture and how you can be noticed (and in a favourable light) in the Canadian employment market.
x
Good post.
HR Guy gets like a 1,000 emails a day from UK, Pakistan, India, everywhere.
You can stand above that crowd by sending a proper paper letter.
You can stand above the other letters by following up with a phone call.
You can stand above the other callers by doing some homework first.
You can stand above everyone else by appearing in person, especially on recommendation!
You just have to put yourself in their shoes for a minute.
Feb 24th 2008 | 12:14 pm
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,251
From: Toronto - I belong there.
Re: A Day in the Life of a Canadian Employer
Mr. Canadian Employer leaves home extra early, and rushes to his office.
Before he's even taken off his coat, he rushes to the desk of Ms. Administrative Assistant and says:
"Good morning, Mary. I'm anxious to see if I'll receive any resumes from British job applicants today. Please alert me if you see any. This is your highest priority task today. Don't go off and get a cup of coffee. Don't go to the washroom. Don't take a lunch break. Check the fax machine regularly. Check the mail when it comes in. If you see anything from a British job applicant, call me out of whatever meeting I'm in. Of course I myself will be checking my e-mails regularly."
Does the above scene seem realistic to you? Of course it doesn't. Then why behave as if that's the way things work?
I recently learned a lesson in a home study course I'm doing in marketing. On the CD to which I was listening, the lecturer used the example of a householder whose attention a merchant wanted to capture. As the lecturer asked, "Do people spend their days holding their breath to find out if they'll receive a communication from you?"
The picture he painted was of a housewife standing by the door, waiting for the mail to arrive, neglecting her children, not eating, not going to the bathroom, etc., just waiting to receive a communication from Merchant X. He asked if that was realistic, and of course the answer was that real life would never work that way.
The merchant thinks that the discount or sale or whatever that he/she is offering is very important and that everyone should notice it. But, in real life, people have other things on their minds. You have to do something very clever and captivating to gain their attention. Furthermore, several communications, initiated at intervals, are much more effective than one communique.
It occurred to me to adapt this example to the job hunting situation and point out that, while the unsolicited resume you've sent off to some Canadian employer is important to you, it is of little, if any, importance to that Canadian employer.
If you are in a job hunting mode, please read the Wiki articles on job hunting in Canada. They explain Canada's hiring culture and how you can be noticed (and in a favourable light) in the Canadian employment market.
x
Before he's even taken off his coat, he rushes to the desk of Ms. Administrative Assistant and says:
"Good morning, Mary. I'm anxious to see if I'll receive any resumes from British job applicants today. Please alert me if you see any. This is your highest priority task today. Don't go off and get a cup of coffee. Don't go to the washroom. Don't take a lunch break. Check the fax machine regularly. Check the mail when it comes in. If you see anything from a British job applicant, call me out of whatever meeting I'm in. Of course I myself will be checking my e-mails regularly."
Does the above scene seem realistic to you? Of course it doesn't. Then why behave as if that's the way things work?
I recently learned a lesson in a home study course I'm doing in marketing. On the CD to which I was listening, the lecturer used the example of a householder whose attention a merchant wanted to capture. As the lecturer asked, "Do people spend their days holding their breath to find out if they'll receive a communication from you?"
The picture he painted was of a housewife standing by the door, waiting for the mail to arrive, neglecting her children, not eating, not going to the bathroom, etc., just waiting to receive a communication from Merchant X. He asked if that was realistic, and of course the answer was that real life would never work that way.
The merchant thinks that the discount or sale or whatever that he/she is offering is very important and that everyone should notice it. But, in real life, people have other things on their minds. You have to do something very clever and captivating to gain their attention. Furthermore, several communications, initiated at intervals, are much more effective than one communique.
It occurred to me to adapt this example to the job hunting situation and point out that, while the unsolicited resume you've sent off to some Canadian employer is important to you, it is of little, if any, importance to that Canadian employer.
If you are in a job hunting mode, please read the Wiki articles on job hunting in Canada. They explain Canada's hiring culture and how you can be noticed (and in a favourable light) in the Canadian employment market.
x
Apart from the fact that the lecturer is perfectly describing a workaholic (me), the point is well made.
Feb 24th 2008 | 12:21 pm
#4
little snowy owl
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,921
Re: A Day in the Life of a Canadian Employer
Good post.
HR Guy gets like a 1,000 emails a day from UK, Pakistan, India, everywhere.
You can stand above that crowd by sending a proper paper letter.
You can stand above the other letters by following up with a phone call.
You can stand above the other callers by doing some homework first.
You can stand above everyone else by appearing in person, especially on recommendation!
You just have to put yourself in their shoes for a minute.
HR Guy gets like a 1,000 emails a day from UK, Pakistan, India, everywhere.
You can stand above that crowd by sending a proper paper letter.
You can stand above the other letters by following up with a phone call.
You can stand above the other callers by doing some homework first.
You can stand above everyone else by appearing in person, especially on recommendation!
You just have to put yourself in their shoes for a minute.
Feb 24th 2008 | 12:22 pm
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 846
From: Toronto, Ontario
Re: A Day in the Life of a Canadian Employer
I work in a job that involves a lot of purchasing, deciding what products the stores will sell and it is the same there. Each sales person presumes that you must be waiting for them to call, or e-mail while in reality they are one of a thousand. For them it is the all encompasing thing, all they think about all day and it is hard for them to realize that for the other person it is just an additional thing and not the centre of the universe.
Of course you could try some of these guys methods in getting yoru resume noticed: http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_19860.aspx
Of course you could try some of these guys methods in getting yoru resume noticed: http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_19860.aspx
Feb 24th 2008 | 1:30 pm
#6
Thread Starter
Now on Vancouver Island
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,935
From: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Re: A Day in the Life of a Canadian Employer
I work in a job that involves a lot of purchasing, deciding what products the stores will sell and it is the same there. Each sales person presumes that you must be waiting for them to call, or e-mail while in reality they are one of a thousand. For them it is the all encompasing thing, all they think about all day and it is hard for them to realize that for the other person it is just an additional thing and not the centre of the universe.
Of course you could try some of these guys methods in getting yoru resume noticed: http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_19860.aspx
x
Feb 24th 2008 | 2:57 pm
#7
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,053
Re: A Day in the Life of a Canadian Employer
Just for the record, I found that post offensive. Every single expat that I have met, has grafted and researched their move here, and not thought it would be handed to them on a platter. Yes some may be more green than others, but goodness that was rather patronising to say the least...
While I understand the point, I just felt a little erked at the tone, after all, I am unaware of anyone who is the font of all knowledge using the forum and if anyone is can point me towards them, I'll buy you a Timmies.....Although although useful contributions are made more frequently by some, we all have our strengths, and a little humility never goes a miss. It's also more welcoming to those of us who are human or are new to the forum....
Hope you are all well this evening (now that spring is in the air!)
Mrs Miggins.
While I understand the point, I just felt a little erked at the tone, after all, I am unaware of anyone who is the font of all knowledge using the forum and if anyone is can point me towards them, I'll buy you a Timmies.....Although although useful contributions are made more frequently by some, we all have our strengths, and a little humility never goes a miss. It's also more welcoming to those of us who are human or are new to the forum....
Hope you are all well this evening (now that spring is in the air!)
Mrs Miggins.
Feb 24th 2008 | 5:11 pm
#8
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 312
Re: A Day in the Life of a Canadian Employer
For the time it takes to send your Resume via email or fax I would still send it.
Why not, you havent got anything to lose by presuming you may catch the HR people on a good day.
It is always more than worth doing if you have a reccie booked and you can tell the employer on what days you are in town and are free to meet.
Along with following the other top tips of Canadian job hunting on the Wiki. Sending your Resume cold is really not the worst thing you can do.
mrs Minihaha
Why not, you havent got anything to lose by presuming you may catch the HR people on a good day.
It is always more than worth doing if you have a reccie booked and you can tell the employer on what days you are in town and are free to meet.
Along with following the other top tips of Canadian job hunting on the Wiki. Sending your Resume cold is really not the worst thing you can do.
mrs Minihaha
Feb 24th 2008 | 5:33 pm
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,250
From: Lethbridge AB
Re: A Day in the Life of a Canadian Employer
Does the above scene seem realistic to you? Of course it doesn't. Then why behave as if that's the way things work?
I really do believe that a lot of people applying for jobsfrom the UK actually think that alot of foreign employers are just waiting for their resume - in the end these people applying for the job are in for the shock reality that they are just another resume !
I really do believe that a lot of people applying for jobsfrom the UK actually think that alot of foreign employers are just waiting for their resume - in the end these people applying for the job are in for the shock reality that they are just another resume !
Good post.
HR Guy gets like a 1,000 emails a day from UK, Pakistan, India, everywhere.
You can stand above that crowd by sending a proper paper letter.
You can stand above the other letters by following up with a phone call.
You can stand above the other callers by doing some homework first.
You can stand above everyone else by appearing in person, especially on recommendation!
You just have to put yourself in their shoes for a minute.
HR Guy gets like a 1,000 emails a day from UK, Pakistan, India, everywhere.
You can stand above that crowd by sending a proper paper letter.
You can stand above the other letters by following up with a phone call.
You can stand above the other callers by doing some homework first.
You can stand above everyone else by appearing in person, especially on recommendation!
You just have to put yourself in their shoes for a minute.
Just for the record, I found that post offensive.
Why ?? I do not think that Judy has said that expats havent researched etc I really think that you have missed the point here. I think that Judy was trying to make a very valid point about job hunting in Canada - that some people who moan about not getting a job are just not going that extra mile
Every single expat that I have met, has grafted and researched their move here, and not thought it would be handed to them on a platter. Yes some may be more green than others, but goodness that was rather patronising to say the least...
I think that Judy was trying to say that not everyone is as organised and well read on certain subjects as some of the other posters on this thread and I most certainly do not think that Judy meant to be patronising - she has helped so many people of this site.
Where would our WIKI be on the Canada forum without all of Judy's time and patience to set it up ?? Did you not see that little bit of praise for Judy on another thread - because other WIKI on this site contain next to toss all !!
Why ?? I do not think that Judy has said that expats havent researched etc I really think that you have missed the point here. I think that Judy was trying to make a very valid point about job hunting in Canada - that some people who moan about not getting a job are just not going that extra mile
Every single expat that I have met, has grafted and researched their move here, and not thought it would be handed to them on a platter. Yes some may be more green than others, but goodness that was rather patronising to say the least...
I think that Judy was trying to say that not everyone is as organised and well read on certain subjects as some of the other posters on this thread and I most certainly do not think that Judy meant to be patronising - she has helped so many people of this site.
Where would our WIKI be on the Canada forum without all of Judy's time and patience to set it up ?? Did you not see that little bit of praise for Judy on another thread - because other WIKI on this site contain next to toss all !!
For the time it takes to send your Resume via email or fax I would still send it.
Why not, you havent got anything to lose by presuming you may catch the HR people on a good day.
It is always more than worth doing if you have a reccie booked and you can tell the employer on what days you are in town and are free to meet.
Along with following the other top tips of Canadian job hunting on the Wiki. Sending your Resume cold is really not the worst thing you can do.
mrs Minihaha
Why not, you havent got anything to lose by presuming you may catch the HR people on a good day.
It is always more than worth doing if you have a reccie booked and you can tell the employer on what days you are in town and are free to meet.
Along with following the other top tips of Canadian job hunting on the Wiki. Sending your Resume cold is really not the worst thing you can do.
mrs Minihaha
When my OH first started to look for a job he applied for some over the internet by submitting his resume - but only after we had booked a trip out here. He managed to set up a couple of interviews by attracting employers attention that he would be coming out for a period of time it they wanted to meet.
By far was the phone and face to face method of promoting oneself. He trod the streets with resume in hand and spoke with every accountancy practice in our town and then followed it up the day after with a phone call of a contact name he had gotten when dropping off his resume.
He damn well worked hard to find that job and deserved each and every one of the three jobs he was offered.
My point ..........
The more physically active you become in looking for that job - that job will find you
Ok off soap box - thank you and good night
Gaynor
x
Feb 24th 2008 | 6:00 pm
#10
Thread Starter
Now on Vancouver Island
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,935
From: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Re: A Day in the Life of a Canadian Employer
If I have my facts right, you entered Canada on a study permit, and your husband got a spousal open work permit on the basis of your study permit.
There are many members of this forum who are trying to get into Canada via work permits and who are trying to secure Labour Market Opinions. With a certain amount of regularity, some people who are trying that route arrive on the forum and say they've e-mailed their resumes to dozens (and sometimes hundreds) of employers, but have not heard back from any of them. My post may be of use to some of those people.
And if you really want to be offended, just wait till I publish my NO B.S. JOB HUNTING FOR BRITISH EXPATS : THE ULTIMATE NO HOLDS BARRED KICK BUTT TAKE NO PRISONERS GUIDE TO GETTING INTO CANADA.
x
There are many members of this forum who are trying to get into Canada via work permits and who are trying to secure Labour Market Opinions. With a certain amount of regularity, some people who are trying that route arrive on the forum and say they've e-mailed their resumes to dozens (and sometimes hundreds) of employers, but have not heard back from any of them. My post may be of use to some of those people.
And if you really want to be offended, just wait till I publish my NO B.S. JOB HUNTING FOR BRITISH EXPATS : THE ULTIMATE NO HOLDS BARRED KICK BUTT TAKE NO PRISONERS GUIDE TO GETTING INTO CANADA.
x
Feb 24th 2008 | 6:14 pm
#11
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 312
Re: A Day in the Life of a Canadian Employer
If I have my facts right, you entered Canada on a study permit, and your husband got a spousal open work permit on the basis of your study permit.
There are many members of this forum who are trying to get into Canada via work permits and who are trying to secure Labour Market Opinions. With a certain amount of regularity, some people who are trying that route arrive on the forum and say they've e-mailed their resumes to dozens (and sometimes hundreds) of employers, but have not heard back from any of them. My post may be of use to some of those people.
And if you really want to be offended, just wait till I publish my NO B.S. JOB HUNTING FOR BRITISH EXPATS : THE ULTIMATE NO HOLDS BARRED KICK BUTT TAKE NO PRISONERS GUIDE TO GETTING INTO CANADA.
x
There are many members of this forum who are trying to get into Canada via work permits and who are trying to secure Labour Market Opinions. With a certain amount of regularity, some people who are trying that route arrive on the forum and say they've e-mailed their resumes to dozens (and sometimes hundreds) of employers, but have not heard back from any of them. My post may be of use to some of those people.
And if you really want to be offended, just wait till I publish my NO B.S. JOB HUNTING FOR BRITISH EXPATS : THE ULTIMATE NO HOLDS BARRED KICK BUTT TAKE NO PRISONERS GUIDE TO GETTING INTO CANADA.
x
What no BS! Dont take the fun out of it for gods sake Jude.
Step away from your keyboard Jude, step away
Feb 24th 2008 | 6:27 pm
#12
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,810
From: New Caledonia
Re: A Day in the Life of a Canadian Employer
Mr. Canadian Employer leaves home extra early, and rushes to his office.
Before he's even taken off his coat, he rushes to the desk of Ms. Administrative Assistant and says:
"Good morning, Mary. I'm anxious to see if I'll receive any resumes from British job applicants today. Please alert me if you see any. This is your highest priority task today. Don't go off and get a cup of coffee. Don't go to the washroom. Don't take a lunch break. Check the fax machine regularly. Check the mail when it comes in. If you see anything from a British job applicant, call me out of whatever meeting I'm in. Of course I myself will be checking my e-mails regularly."
Does the above scene seem realistic to you? Of course it doesn't. Then why behave as if that's the way things work?
I recently learned a lesson in a home study course I'm doing in marketing. On the CD to which I was listening, the lecturer used the example of a householder whose attention a merchant wanted to capture. As the lecturer asked, "Do people spend their days holding their breath to find out if they'll receive a communication from you?"
The picture he painted was of a housewife standing by the door, waiting for the mail to arrive, neglecting her children, not eating, not going to the bathroom, etc., just waiting to receive a communication from Merchant X. He asked if that was realistic, and of course the answer was that real life would never work that way.
The merchant thinks that the discount or sale or whatever that he/she is offering is very important and that everyone should notice it. But, in real life, people have other things on their minds. You have to do something very clever and captivating to gain their attention. Furthermore, several communications, initiated at intervals, are much more effective than one communique.
It occurred to me to adapt this example to the job hunting situation and point out that, while the unsolicited resume you've sent off to some Canadian employer is important to you, it is of little, if any, importance to that Canadian employer.
If you are in a job hunting mode, please read the Wiki articles on job hunting in Canada. They explain Canada's hiring culture and how you can be noticed (and in a favourable light) in the Canadian employment market.
x
Before he's even taken off his coat, he rushes to the desk of Ms. Administrative Assistant and says:
"Good morning, Mary. I'm anxious to see if I'll receive any resumes from British job applicants today. Please alert me if you see any. This is your highest priority task today. Don't go off and get a cup of coffee. Don't go to the washroom. Don't take a lunch break. Check the fax machine regularly. Check the mail when it comes in. If you see anything from a British job applicant, call me out of whatever meeting I'm in. Of course I myself will be checking my e-mails regularly."
Does the above scene seem realistic to you? Of course it doesn't. Then why behave as if that's the way things work?
I recently learned a lesson in a home study course I'm doing in marketing. On the CD to which I was listening, the lecturer used the example of a householder whose attention a merchant wanted to capture. As the lecturer asked, "Do people spend their days holding their breath to find out if they'll receive a communication from you?"
The picture he painted was of a housewife standing by the door, waiting for the mail to arrive, neglecting her children, not eating, not going to the bathroom, etc., just waiting to receive a communication from Merchant X. He asked if that was realistic, and of course the answer was that real life would never work that way.
The merchant thinks that the discount or sale or whatever that he/she is offering is very important and that everyone should notice it. But, in real life, people have other things on their minds. You have to do something very clever and captivating to gain their attention. Furthermore, several communications, initiated at intervals, are much more effective than one communique.
It occurred to me to adapt this example to the job hunting situation and point out that, while the unsolicited resume you've sent off to some Canadian employer is important to you, it is of little, if any, importance to that Canadian employer.
If you are in a job hunting mode, please read the Wiki articles on job hunting in Canada. They explain Canada's hiring culture and how you can be noticed (and in a favourable light) in the Canadian employment market.
x
When we are looking for employees, we are looking for the benefit of our business. If going through the hoops to bring someone from overseas makes good business sense for us, then we would consider it. Even then we would want to be assured the individual is committed and willing to demonstrate this in the effort they make to get a job. We have hired a number of immigrants, of various nationalities, only one has worked out.
An e-mail does not do it, we don't respond to unsolicited e-mails, mostly they are filtered to direct delete anyway because there is so much junk flying around.
Last edited by Surrey Expat; Feb 24th 2008 at 6:29 pm.
Feb 24th 2008 | 6:29 pm
#13
Sloopy Frickenbutt
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,225
From: Its good ere Honest........
Re: A Day in the Life of a Canadian Employer
Just for the record, I found that post offensive. Every single expat that I have met, has grafted and researched their move here, and not thought it would be handed to them on a platter. Yes some may be more green than others, but goodness that was rather patronising to say the least...
While I understand the point, I just felt a little erked at the tone, after all, I am unaware of anyone who is the font of all knowledge using the forum and if anyone is can point me towards them, I'll buy you a Timmies.....Although although useful contributions are made more frequently by some, we all have our strengths, and a little humility never goes a miss. It's also more welcoming to those of us who are human or are new to the forum....
Hope you are all well this evening (now that spring is in the air!)
Mrs Miggins.
While I understand the point, I just felt a little erked at the tone, after all, I am unaware of anyone who is the font of all knowledge using the forum and if anyone is can point me towards them, I'll buy you a Timmies.....Although although useful contributions are made more frequently by some, we all have our strengths, and a little humility never goes a miss. It's also more welcoming to those of us who are human or are new to the forum....
Hope you are all well this evening (now that spring is in the air!)
Mrs Miggins.
After 4 yrs waiting and stressing over getting here, and the 100's of emails /letters sent out. Numerous phone calls and OH actually physically being here and walking into companys with resumes and still being totally ignored. Some people should try on the shoes, before they comment on how they fit.
Feb 24th 2008 | 6:32 pm
#14
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,810
From: New Caledonia
Re: A Day in the Life of a Canadian Employer
Totally agree Mrs M.......I felt exactly the same reading that.
After 4 yrs waiting and stressing over getting here, and the 100's of emails /letters sent out. Numerous phone calls and OH actually physically being here and walking into companys with resumes and still being totally ignored. Some people should try on the shoes, before they comment on how they fit.
After 4 yrs waiting and stressing over getting here, and the 100's of emails /letters sent out. Numerous phone calls and OH actually physically being here and walking into companys with resumes and still being totally ignored. Some people should try on the shoes, before they comment on how they fit.
