Can I apply for jobs yet?

[kelly.]

Hi there,
Recently got my PPR on a outland common law sponsorship application, sent my passport to London via UPS today. My question is, am I allowed to start applying for jobs yet? I know I can't work until I have my SIN number, but can I apply?

The reason I ask is that I've found a job oppertunity thats perfect for me and I don't want to miss out on it. It's for a health authority, but there is nowhere on the online application form to explain that I am just waiting for my COPR . It seems like the kind of job that would take a while to get around to getting back to it's applicants, but if they were to get back to me before I've landed and got my SIN I guess I could just explain my situation?

Just don't want to break any rules!

Thanks in advance
Kelly

[mrswolfe]

You can apply, you just can't legally work.

[Iamrobot85]

I started applying for jobs as soon as I ecas said a decision has been made.  You won't be able to legally work until you get you SIN but the process of applying for, interviewing, and getting a job will likely take longer than that anyway, so it doesn't hurt to get a leg up.  And if someone REALLY wants to hire you before that, they probably will have no problem waiting a week or two (or three or four) for you to get your SIN.

[scylla]

My one piece of advice is that you should tell them you can't work yet (and provide them with a time frame for when you expect to be able to work) as soon as anyone contacts you for an interview.

As someone who does a lot of hiring, there's nothing worse that people who are not up-front about restrictions relating to taking on a new role. While it may seem like no big deal, from an employer's standpoint, it automatically makes you wonder what else the candidate has misrepresented and starts the entire relationship off dishonestly. Many companies keep HR databases and if someone has a bad experience with you, it may very well be recorded and impact any future opportunities you might want to explore with that same company.

As long as you're open and honest as soon as someone expresses any interest - you'll be fine. Good luck!!!!

[kelly.]

Wonderful, thanks for your help guys. So I will start applying, and if I get any further contact from that point before I have my SIN I will just be completely honest about my situation and the timeframe. It's not really that long a wait afterall, a lot of background checks can take longer!

[can_usa_97]

I just looked this up yesterday actually and of course can not find where i saw it to reference to you. But, it said that you can work as soon as you apply, and show the employer when it does arrive - you just can' not be paid until they have it.

[kelly.]

I just looked this up yesterday actually and of course can not find where i saw it to reference to you. But, it said that you can work as soon as you apply, and show the employer when it does arrive - you just can' not be paid until they have it.

Oh really? That sounds good. I looked for ages and couldnt find any reference to it at all Let me know if you remember!

[rjessome]

I just looked this up yesterday actually and of course can not find where i saw it to reference to you. But, it said that you can work as soon as you apply, and show the employer when it does arrive - you just can' not be paid until they have it.

If you mean you can start working as soon as you apply for the SIN, that is mostly true as long as you have LANDED as a PR.  You cannot work until you have landed.  Most times, when you go to the Service Canada office they will give you the SIN number right there and you just have to wait a week or so for the actual card to arrive.  But it's the number you need to work. 

[can_usa_97]

If you mean you can start working as soon as you apply for the SIN, that is mostly true as long as you have LANDED as a PR.  You cannot work until you have landed.  Most times, when you go to the Service Canada office they will give you the SIN number right there and you just have to wait a week or so for the actual card to arrive.  But it's the number you need to work. 

Yes, that is what I meant. As soon as you have actually done landing and apply for the SIN.