Finding Jobs in IT

[h1b2pr]

I'm creating this forum for discussion of finding jobs in Canada. Especially from US while on h1b in IT. If anyone got successful getting one please add your story here.

 

[dks2323]

I spent 5-6 years in US before moving to Canada in 2014. I am in the IT industry and never had any problem in getting the job. My spouse got it too within no time after we moved to Canada.
That's all I can say that there are not as many jobs as in US but its not bad if you have the right skills and communicate well.

 

[boatyyo]

I spent 5-6 years in US before moving to Canada in 2014. I am in the IT industry and never had any problem in getting the job. My spouse got it too within no time after we moved to Canada.
That's all I can say that there are not as many jobs as in US but its not bad if you have the right skills and communicate well.

Thanks for sharing the info. Can u ask what is your job function? Also have you seen any big discrepancy in the salary offered in US vs Canada? Everyone says salaries are lower in Canada, but how much lower? for e.g. a SQL dba or a SAP consultant salary comparison.

 

[dks2323]

Thanks for sharing the info. Can u ask what is your job function? Also have you seen any big discrepancy in the salary offered in US vs Canada? Everyone says salaries are lower in Canada, but how much lower? for e.g. a SQL dba or a SAP consultant salary comparison.

I work as a Senior tech specialist (that's what my company calls it)/ Senior BA/ Senior system analyst.....you may call it anything....mostly I deal with EDI stuff...

Yes its true that salaries are not as high as US in most of the cases....but if you are capable and lucky enough then you might get a comparable salary (even after converting to USD)

The problem is that we tend to convert CAD to USD which makes us feel that the salary is a lot lower....but that's the case for last few years and may be couple of more to come....There was a time (and not too long ago) that CAD was equal to USD....

Working as a Senior DBA or Senior SAP consultant can fetch you around 75-85K if you are working full time/permanent.....If you work as a contractor it may be around 50 CAD per hour....so working 7.5 hours a day, it makes it around 100K...I am telling you this as per what my friends are making working in SAP....it may NOT be generic market trend.....

If you ask me, I am making way more than what I was earning in US (even after conversion to USD)...I was earning at around 85K in US....and I do not pay a penny for my healthcare in Canada....I used to pay around 8K USD for family health insurance......
but I must say both me and my spouse got lucky with jobs and salaries (that's what I think)....

I hope you get an idea....

EDIT: forgot to add the peace of mind that I have now after moving to Canada....

 

[fr72]

I and my wife took no risks at all. We interviewed while working in US. I got a contract job and she got full time in Toronto. Salary is actually a bit more than US, but about 20% less if you do conversion. Only after both got offers, we put in our notice and moved. I think field matters and so does your work ex in US, where you did your MS, etc. Taxes are higher, but hey - we are actually getting Social Security and Unemployment etc, unlike in the US!

 

[h1b2pr]

I and my wife took no risks at all. We interviewed while working in US. I got a contract job and she got full time in Toronto. Salary is actually a bit more than US, but about 20% less if you do conversion. Only after both got offers, we put in our notice and moved. I think field matters and so does your work ex in US, where you did your MS, etc. Taxes are higher, but hey - we are actually getting Social Security and Unemployment etc, unlike in the US!

Did you get the job after receiving PR? If its before did you/employer get the LMIA done?

 

[fr72]

I didnot need LMIA, I had PR without job offer.

 

[DEEPCUR]

I work as a Senior tech specialist (that's what my company calls it)/ Senior BA/ Senior system analyst.....you may call it anything....mostly I deal with EDI stuff...

Yes its true that salaries are not as high as US in most of the cases....but if you are capable and lucky enough then you might get a comparable salary (even after converting to USD)

The problem is that we tend to convert CAD to USD which makes us feel that the salary is a lot lower....but that's the case for last few years and may be couple of more to come....There was a time (and not too long ago) that CAD was equal to USD....

Working as a Senior DBA or Senior SAP consultant can fetch you around 75-85K if you are working full time/permanent.....If you work as a contractor it may be around 50 CAD per hour....so working 7.5 hours a day, it makes it around 100K...I am telling you this as per what my friends are making working in SAP....it may NOT be generic market trend.....

If you ask me, I am making way more than what I was earning in US (even after conversion to USD)...I was earning at around 85K in US....and I do not pay a penny for my healthcare in Canada....I used to pay around 8K USD for family health insurance......
but I must say both me and my spouse got lucky with jobs and salaries (that's what I think)....

I hope you get an idea....

EDIT: forgot to add the peace of mind that I have now after moving to Canada....

Nice to know your experience. But regarding healthcare, I heard that govt. system covers only major stuffs and employer based insurance plans are still required for others things like drugs etc. Is that true? If so, how are the premiums generally for that? Do every employer cover that?

 

[dks2323]

Nice to know your experience. But regarding healthcare, I heard that govt. system covers only major stuffs and employer based insurance plans are still required for others things like drugs etc. Is that true? If so, how are the premiums generally for that? Do every employer cover that?

Yes, you are correct that Govt. covers major stuff....To name a few, it has family doctor visit, emergencies, pregnancy, most of specialist visit (I need to check what all specialist covered though), and many other things....so most of the healthcare is covered that you need for your day to day life except the prescribed drugs....

I am not sure if every employer is required to provide you the secondary (extended) insurance but whoever I know working full time/permanent, they all have employer's insurance and employers provide it free. We pay nothing to the employer for the insurance.

I pay 50 cents copay for the drugs under my insurance...this is just to give you an idea about the coverage....

 

[novsaggi]

Just to add on , the cost of drugs isn't as crazy as in US.

Also, dental is great if covered through employers insurance.