I am currently in the PR process for Canada. As per the current time line, I may enter Canada only next year. I have a Master's in Information Systems from US University and Bachelor's in Computer Science from India. I have 3 yrs of experience in Java, J2EE. Currently on H1B for desi consultant and not finding a project in this economy for the past 2 months.

Even though I enthusiastically started the PR process, I am slowly losing the momentum. I don't have anyone in Canada who can support me if I move there next year. So the whole thought of moving there and starting a fresh life is making me scared. I don't mind doing survival jobs but I am worried if I may end up doing them for the rest of my life.

After reading a few posts about bad experiences in Canada, I end up even more depressed. Of course, most of those experiences are with credential recognition in Canada for doctors, engineers etc. I know at least IT field does not have those issues. And then stories about hidden job market, preferring Canadian experience, racism etc. Somewhere there is this fear of what if I don't find any job in IT. What would happen to all the money and effort I spent for PR? Add to that the cold weather. God, I hope my life doesn't end up in gloom. Or may be it is this economy which is making me feel bad.

I guess I am looking for successful experiences of people who moved to Canada in the past couple of years and got a job in IT. If not, at least their experiences so far in job search?

Thanks in advance to those who reply.

Here we go again

Not every new immigrant starts in Canada working at coffee shops, delivering pizzas or scrubbing floors and toilets.

Do your research. Visit job boards. Target agencies. Get a feel for the market pertaining to your skillset. Get ahead of the game. You will find a job. You may not get the salary you desire right off the bat but you can work towards that for sure.

Take a positive approach. I know many people who started applying a few months prior to their arrival making their available date clear and have had success.

Posts here are meant to caution folks not depress them. Take it with a pinch of salt.

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If you have a gun, you can rob a bank.
If you have a bank, you can rob everyone.
- Bill Maher

Not every new immigrant starts in Canada working at coffee shops, delivering pizzas or scrubbing floors and toilets.

Do your research. Visit job boards. Target agencies. Get a feel for the market pertaining to your skillset. Get ahead of the game. You will find a job. You may not get the salary you desire right off the bat but you can work towards that for sure.

Take a positive approach. I know many people who started applying a few months prior to their arrival making their available date clear and have had success.

Posts here are meant to caution folks not depress them. Take it with a pinch of salt.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
If you have a gun, you can rob a bank.
If you have a bank, you can rob everyone.
- Bill Maher

Completely agreed with bloren. Since you have qualifications and US experience along with decent technology background I don't see any issue in you getting a job fairly quickly.
When we migrated here we did not know single soul here. Posted resume on Monster, Workopolis and major banks/companies websites. Rented an apartment thru Canadian Desi classified. Received call within week of application. And asked to join even before we could settle. So far did not come across issue related to racism.
You think you may get PR next year so I guess things could take anyh turn during till that time. You can also spend that time doing research on job market. Java/oracle web apps with banking industry background should help.

Good luck!

Thanks blorean As soon as I get PR, I am going to start my job search process. Of course, I am going to start networking in this website, ask my friends if they have any connections in Canada, start talking to job agencies etc. I got a lot of my plans in my head. Waiting for PR until then.

I have a question, if I did not get any IT job in the first 2 months after I land. In that case, should I take up any survival job not related to IT? Will it be negative on my IT resume if I did so? I mean, will it be difficult to come back into IT?

On the other hand, if I continue my IT job search without taking up any other job, then there will be a gap in my work experience until I get an IT job.

I will appreciate if anyone can advise. Thanks in advance.

Quote:

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Originally posted by mona_u

Completely agreed with bloren. Since you have qualifications and US experience along with decent technology background I don't see any issue in you getting a job fairly quickly.
When we migrated here we did not know single soul here. Posted resume on Monster, Workopolis and major banks/companies websites. Rented an apartment thru Canadian Desi classified. Received call within week of application. And asked to join even before we could settle. So far did not come across issue related to racism.
You think you may get PR next year so I guess things could take anyh turn during till that time. You can also spend that time doing research on job market. Java/oracle web apps with banking industry background should help.

Good luck!

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Moved almost two and half years back. Working in IT. But joined this new company approximately one year back. Also since you have one year, things could change for better for you, either here in Canada or in US as well.