New landed immigrants - how's your job hunting experience?

[gjp]

Neel,
You do not have to show any proof of funds. You just need your PR card to enter Canada for the interview. They will not ask for any other proof. The immigration officer might ask you 'Why you are not staying in Canada?' and just say that you will move after getting a job in Canada or whatever the truth is ...

[shultrips]

I got a job in less than two weeks after landing and in the same field of my profession. I am a physical therapist working as a physical therapy assistant while working out my license to practice.

What did I do?
Before landing:
1. Learn about credentialing in your profession. It differs for every profession in every province. I started two years before landing.
2. Identify provinces/areas where your job is most in need. In my case I knew that it was Ontario so I concentrated there.
3. A few months before landing, I sent out my resume to every clinic I could find in the province of Ontario... and even a few in Alberta just in case.
   Canadians are friendly and accommodating. I got replies, both promising and not. I just kept at it and finally ended up with a few interviews.
4. Timed my landing towards the end of summer where most jobs are open.

After landing:
1. I confirmed the dates for the few interviews I got.  I went to all of them and finally decided to settle in Ottawa when the clinic offered me a full time position.
2. Leased an apartment for a year then started work the following monday.

Kindness goes a long way so be kind and polite and doors will open. Be open minded and ready to recognize a blessing when you see it. Be brave and always have a positive outlook. Be honest in interviews and mastering the english language helps a lot too. 

So far my story has been a happy one and I am praying that it continues to be. So chin up, good luck, be inspired

hi trinatocanada
your post is very encouraging.
i am a physiotherapist, applied for PR and might get it by mid 2011.
would you please answer a few questions for me?
 did you finish the credentialing before landing ? if not, did the employers accept you without it? coz i have heard of temporary license( after finishing written pce) but not of getting a job before that. and if it is possible, it would be amazing.
what about Canadian work experience? was there an issue regarding that as well?
what made you choose Ontario? do you have any opinion on landing in Alberta and able to get a physio assistant job.
thanks so much, yours is a happy story after many sad ones.
may you go on succeeding!

[noolan]

very discouraging.

very discouraging BUT UNFORTUNATELY TRUE.....

[pammi]

Hi,
We have landed in june 2010.I am a occupational therapist and after applying for immigration I also started my credential process that is around 1.6 years back.Credentials completed and got the exam date 3 july 2010.We got the visa in february and planned to land according to exam date.Also we felt june is the good month to land because of weather and I have 4 yrs. old daughter also.
To cut short gave the exam in july got the result in august end and passed it but before that I have applied for temporary license also so got it in august mid .I have applied in Ontario only and got a job in my field  and with a good salary.So I have a happy ending story and hope it goes well.Planning to buy a home next year.
So don't loose heart. If u will try hard you will get it and don't forget to do the home work of your field.I would also like to mention that I have worked as a general worker for a day on toronto and that job was also not bad.
My wife is a teacher and we have started her credential process also after landing but job market in her field is so saturated so she is planning to do some course next year.Until then she is the Home manager.
All the best
pammi

[Deeaar]

I got a job in less than two weeks after landing and in the same field of my profession. I am a physical therapist working as a physical therapy assistant while working out my license to practice.

What did I do?
Before landing:
1. Learn about credentialing in your profession. It differs for every profession in every province. I started two years before landing.
2. Identify provinces/areas where your job is most in need. In my case I knew that it was Ontario so I concentrated there.
3. A few months before landing, I sent out my resume to every clinic I could find in the province of Ontario... and even a few in Alberta just in case.
   Canadians are friendly and accommodating. I got replies, both promising and not. I just kept at it and finally ended up with a few interviews.
4. Timed my landing towards the end of summer where most jobs are open.

After landing:
1. I confirmed the dates for the few interviews I got.  I went to all of them and finally decided to settle in Ottawa when the clinic offered me a full time position.
2. Leased an apartment for a year then started work the following monday.

Kindness goes a long way so be kind and polite and doors will open. Be open minded and ready to recognize a blessing when you see it. Be brave and always have a positive outlook. Be honest in interviews and mastering the english language helps a lot too. 

So far my story has been a happy one and I am praying that it continues to be. So chin up, good luck, be inspired

Very good news and quite motivating.
Thanks for sharing. Let us know your other experiences while living with ur family .

best regards.

[Wendy2]

I live in the US and got PR nomination through Alberta. I have not yet landed - I completed my Medicals in August and I am awaiting passport request. I thought the process would go faster so I started applying for jobs in August. I am a Training and Change Management Specialist for an IT consulting firm, and I have work experience mostly with international companies that are also in Canada. I got two job offers in Alberta last week. One was a consulting position with fantastic pay ($75/hr) but I could not take it because AINP said they will not issue a letter of support for me to get a TRV based on a contract position. The second job does not pay as well but is full time, so I have accepted that.

Based on my experience, I agree that it is easier if you have worked for companies that Canadian employers immediately recognize, but for everyone, I would say don't give up hope, or immediately assume that it will be difficult. Brush up on your interviewing skills, and work on your accent - it matters, especially for phone interviews. Also tailor your resume to the job you're applying for, don't just send a blanket resume for every job application. When I apply for jobs, I move things around on my resume, putting the most relevant work experience at the top, rather than arranging everything in chronological order. Also, come across very friendly, even when you're talking to the recruiter, a secretary, a security guard - whoever. Learn to chitchat about weather, sports, etc.

If anyone has specific questions, i'll also be glad to answer them. All the best to everyone searching.

[SkilledPro]

It is good to read job hunting experiences of new immigrants.  good or bad, please continue to share your experiences.

bad experiences will help others to prepare more while good experiences will give hope to others.

[Lucky11]

There might be troubles for new immigrants in beginning but dont loose your heart. Explore the job websites of canada also

[Shinygirl]

Thanks Wendy2 your post is very encouraging