I am also signed up with a recruitment agency. I don't hear from them often but every once and a while my phone rings and they check in with me. My partner tells me that a very knowledgeable contact of his, who worked in this field, states that recruiting firms drop like flies during recessions. I can believe it. At the very least I am impressed by the phone calls I am getting by "my" recruiter, even if she hasn't found an appropriate job for me.
Navigating through the job sites isn't rocket science or particularly original but it still has to be done. One has to work as many angles as possible. My creativity in the process seems to be growing. One can only look unsuccessfully (depending on how one chooses to perceive it) through job listings so long (not that long actually) before they start thinking about how to work it a different way. I am enjoying this part. I won't elaborate the details but the research angles are endless. One has to make it all as interesting as possible if not fun. I might as well learn something more than I know about the process. I've always had fun learning, so...
A largely depressing situation occurred with two resumes submitted, where, during the process I found that both companies required the candidate to be either a permanent resident or Canadian citizen. I am neither but do have a valid Canadian work permit. It's heartbreaking because the positions were ideal for my skill set and interests. Argh!
I've written previously about the notorious difficulty of finding first employment for new Canadian immigrants. Both Eric and I understood this when we made the decision to move here. This would be a great place to mention that I am not regretting that decision. Not. At. All. Canada is amazing and Toronto is a great city. The only piece that is missing is employment. Life is good. Challenges abound but they are those that opportunity created. I can't complain.
Perhaps this post has become "train of thought." Choo! Choo! Or a string of non-sequiturs. Or perhaps it's just ending that way. LOL ...But it is very stressful to not have active employment for an extended length of time. In the past I have watched friends and family physically and mentally break down during a lengthy bout of unemployment and its accompanying job search. For various reasons I have never had this experience. I have never had to work hard to gain employment. I have not suffered physically but definitely notice the mental effects. I joined a gym as a healthy outlet to my frustration. It's just a matter of time before I look to become a barista at Starbucks. I love coffee and it's an honest buck. Hopefully I don't need to be a permanent resident.
3 comments:
I would echo your thoughts about this being one of the most frustrating aspects of the move. Good luck!!
This is the most challenging part of the immigration journey once landed. After months of doing the same type of search, I went through a temp agency and that made all the difference. Once I had worked a couple of temp jobs with BC Government I was short-listed here at the University and got the job. I had applied here for 2 years prior to that with no response. No Canadian experience (prior to the temp jobs), the University was not biting.
I was in the same boat. Despite my heart saying no, I took a temporary job which only paid half of what I would be paid for that doing that job. I worked hard to convince my manager to make it a permanent job and now all is fine. My advice would be to just take any job (which requires at least some of your skill) in a company where there would be a potential for you to land a job which matches your qualification. The transition is usually smooth.
Some websites that are useful for your job search
Indeed.ca, Eluta.ca
Good Luck.
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