Family, o to ijo meta- It's been a while. It's been about 5 weeks since I landed and I thought I should give an update and also encourage the house. Through God's grace, Canada has been good to us since we landed 14 May. God indeed magnified my 0.0000001% effort.
I am elated to share that I got a job (with a big 4) in our first week in Canada- yeah you heard me. I also got a second offer (another big 4) 5 days later- 2nd week. I have never worked in a big 4. After some tough decision, I have now started working for one. These offers came initially as verbal offers from the recruiter (the company HR) with an advise that the formal offer letter will follow. Anyway, I left Canada after 2 weeks of stay as my original plan was to do a short landing and return to my job in Lagos plus my ticket cant be changed without incurring huge cost.
While in Lagos the formal offer letter of one came first week of June and oh boy it dawn on me I have to be in Canada soonest. No PR card yet (this takes about 2 months) and I do not want to go through the hassle of PRTD (travel document for landed PRs) but thank God I have a US B1/B2, so I went through our southern neighbor and drove a rental car from JFK to YYZ for 8+ hours, God was indeed faithful. I breezed through the Niagara falls border- immigration officer only checked COPR and passed me and at YYZ I took a domestic flight which only requires any means of ID. The rest was history.
This is my own experience and may/will not be same for all but sure can encourage someone to do somethings differently.
What did I do and other post landing activities
1. I applied endlessly for jobs from Naija immediately I received PPR. Infact, I gave 2 interviews (one voice, the other skype video - I remember how Swift almost fall my hand, thank God I had etisalat as a backup plan)) before I landed. I mainly search for jobs through linkedin as I observed the job boards are usually not effective (my opinion) as they are always late to put jobs on their site.
2. When jobs are posted on linkedin, you can see the recruiter and also use the opportunity to connect and follow up while having applied for the job.
3. Know your stuff and you will excel at the interview - I have given four interviews (four different coys) so far and I observed the fairness in the process.
4. I booked my my one way car rental from cartrawler.com (through flying blue) One way rental is difficult to get by from the main rental services. It cost just USD114 and I got a Jeep Compass MFD May 2016 ;D. I could have got a lower (smaller) car for USD74 but I chose not because of the nature of the journey- 2nd missionary journey ;D
5. On banking, we opened with CIBC with 0 dollars, yes I still kept my USD then ;D. I opened everyday chequing, savings and USD savings all with 0 dollars. I also got C$ 5000 credit card and my wife got C$1500 credit card too. we just gave the lady our PP and SIN. I dont know how they go about it. Plus they also gave us 12 months free for transaction charges (ATM, transfers). They seems a better option for me. RBC will prolly give a C$500. Credit card is a must have for new residents as that is the only way you can build a credit history and show that you are credit worthy. Your debit card /bank balance wont.
I hope this post will help someone. I am happy to respond for further questions
@Papasi I am happy to read that you are landing soon. You are indeed a testimony after all the procedural fairness brouhaha
@OneTopsy, bro where are you now? you don land? no forget I still owe you drink.
@xls Congrats again, It will end in praise but please guide your PP jealously.
@Nebs I don respond to your PM. apologies for the delay
I pray that all our dreams and aspirations come to pass.
Meanwhile, there is a 4 day weekend next week in Canada. let's manage our expectations with CIC
