So I just have to share with you all, since I hate crying to my husband about this. :)
It has almost been a month since I have started my job search in Canada, and I have yet to get ONE callback. Everyday I get a email from some job, stating thanks, but no thanks. I am starting to get really frustrated. Normally when I have looked for work at home in the states, I get calls back on almost everything. I am starting to worry if me being American does really make a difference.
I went to university for 8 years, I have my Masters, my MBA. That should account for something! And to make matters even worse my b-day is tomorrow and I cannot seem to get happy! I should enjoy the last of my time at home without a job, but over a year of not working, I am so ready to get a job!
I know the job is out there, I just never thought it would take this long.
Thanks for listening everyone!
Jennifer
You might have to start thinking outside the box. I don't think it is an American thing, their are MBA's from all over the world driving taxis here. You might have to take a stepping stone job just to get your foot in the door somewhere. I've heard people really have a problem with big gaps in resumes, maybe that is what is getting you. It doesn't make any rational sense to keep people from working while they are waiting for immigration to finish with their paperwork, so I think most Canadian don't understand that is what happens to immigrants. Maybe they are afraid to hire someone who isn't a PR yet for fear you'll just get trained then take off.
I doubt its because your american and more to do with your not Canadian. I have a job but I can't get one in my field, and since I dont currently enjoy my job have been looking for another job, I get a call back here and there and an interview, but it doesn't result in a job, and I've been told by a few companies I lack sufficient Canadian experience.
Seems to be a similiar experience with other immigrants I work with, several of the immigrants in housekeeping are well educated with higher degrees yet housekeeping in a hotel is the best they can get right now.
I am currently trying to switch to higher paying hotels and I am not getting any callbacks or interviews from them, seems only the really desperate hotels (low paying ones) have any interest in me.
K ladies and Gents.. here is my two cent... I know its real hard to finding jobs but here is what my parents did when they got here ... both my parents signed up for a 6 months course that has a co-op at the end of it ... it worked great ... I know how hard it is for immigrants to find jobs but you guys are holding MBA and stuff so it should be good ... believe it or not University message bords are great too... and if any of you are in Toronto and are Engineers let me know maybe I can help... There are also great HR companies that hire temps at first but you can get placed in a perminant job... there are also agencies that search for fulltime jobs ... let me know and I would be happy to help anyone and direct them in the right direction if they are in Toronto... I know lots of them here in Toronto ...
Thanks everyone for your advice. I think that me not being a Canadian does affect my chances. I am going to give it another couple weeks and then I am going to look for temp work and go from there. Maybe starting that way might at least get my foot in the door. I never realized how difficult it would be to find something.
But I am not alone so that does make me feel better, somewhat. I just worked so hard to get my MBA years of schooling, thousands of dollars later and I cannot even get a job.
In the end though, I am with John, we are married, and I do like Canada. So that makes me happy and I am sure the right job is out there, it just might take longer than I thought.
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer.. I'm so sorry that you're finally able to work but can't find something! I'm waiting for my outside application to go through, but that's one of my biggest worries once I'm able to move up to Canada.. what if I don't get callbacks? Granted, going into a two-income situation will allow me some leeway with the salary we can afford me to accept, but I'm very well qualified here in the States.. I've been worried that no Canadian work experience would affect the employment search, but keep being told that it doesn't matter. So much for that theory!
Please keep us updated on your search (and results).. I hope that you find what you're looking for, and they see what a great asset you could be, no matter where you came from.
Best of luck,
Jasmina
I first arrived in Canada 2 years ago. I started interviewing right away with companies not expecting that the immigration process would take this long. I received all kinds of quasi-offers, such as 'as soon as you get your papers I am sure we will have something for you...' No one wanted to sponsor a temp work permit for me.
I found working through recruiters very helpful. They found most my interviews for me.
I am U.S. citizen/educated with 10+ years experience in my field of corporate tax. Fortunately, most large Canadian companies have U.S. tax compliance obligations, so when I do go back into the interviewing mode, I am hopeful I can find something relatively soon, although I am expecting to take a pay cut from my last job in the U.S. I am currently trying to find an administrative volunteer position so I can at least tell a prospective employer I have been doing 'something' during my downtime.
I am Canadian looking for work right now and I find it difficult so I can imagine being an immigrant might be harder. Most jobs I see are for Can. citizen or PR holder.
I wish you all the best and I hope everybody finds something soon.
I'd second the comment about working with a recruiter. If you make a good impression on a recruiter they will really work for you! Obviously it is in they're interests to place you in a job.