Hi,

I hope someone can clarify something for me here. I'm a landed PR, came to Toronto last year and then returned to New Jersey where I still work. I've now finalized my plans of coming to Canada on March 10th.

I'm into IT - software development. I had posted my resume on workopolis & monster some time back, and was subsequently contacted by a recruiter for a job in Vancouver. He said that the position was a long-term contract with a client in Burnaby, BC and asked if I was interested. Although I had initially set my sights on Toronto, I said yes. It was with a large software services company, and was too good to refuse.

There was an interview with a HR, then a technical interview with a couple of persons, followed by another interview with a senior manager, all over the phone on different dates. Finally, last Friday I got a call saying that I was selected, and that they would mail me the offer package to my address in New Jersey. They did so promptly within a couple of days. I was so thrilled, and almost wrote a 'Got It!!' post in CD last week!

However, the package, as well as the email said that the employment was conditional, subject to successful background checks, employment verification and criminal records check, as well as the approval of the client, failing which the offer was void.


I subsequently faxed my authorization for these background checks as well as provided the contacts for employment/background verification. I also scanned and sent him my passport, permanent resident card and a recent photograph as per his request.

My recruiter then asked me to hold off on making any plans till I heard from him further. It has been a week and he was non-committal in his response and said to wait for some more time.

My situation is that I was planning to come to Canada anyway on March 10th. If not for this company in Vancouver, it would have been Toronto. My clock is ticking and I have already resigned from my present company, my last working day being March 8th, and I will be vacating my apartment on 10th. (this decision was made before, and independent of this conditional offer)

Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but thought I would check with you guys. I'm sure others would have endured such background verification checks. Normally how long does this take? It doesn't look like they have contacted my present/previous employers yet. After sending a detailed offer package by courier, can they go back on their offer? The starting date in the offer letter says 'a date that is mutually agreed upon'. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Since I need to vacate my apartment anyway on March 10th, I thought I would wait a couple more days, and if they don't respond, book a flight to Toronto instead of Vancouver.



Thanks in advance!

What company is this .What client is this . How did u contact them or did they call you .

Please provide details .. Hope you were not cheated by Identity theft etc by giving out Personal inofrmation and authorization to them in checking out your credit report etc ..

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We will find a way or we will make one

Thanks Smiley.

A recruiter from the company contacted me. The company (branch in Vancouver, Canadian HQ in Mississauga) is a globally known giant in software consulting services. The client (HQ'd in Burnaby) is also very a well-known large company.

So I don't think it could have been a scam of any sort. I sent you a PM with the details. The package came direct from the company's office with the letter head.

Let me know what you think..

Smiley, You have a valid point, though. Should be careful about giving such personal information.. Fortunately I still believe it was a reliable source.

Anyway, being the paranoid person that I am, I just cross-checked their phone number (the number they called me, as well as the number on their letter head) from canada411.com, and it matched the name and address of the company. So I guess (and hope!) this was no scam!

Read your PM

Both the consultants and the company are fine . You did the right thing . Hope you get the job

Best of luck

Whenever you come to Vancouver, Let me know . I am in Burnaby near vancouver .

Take care

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We will find a way or we will make one

Thanks again Smiley. I look forward to coming to Burnaby soon. I was told that after an initial orientation in their Vancouver office, I will be placed in Burnaby, working at the client's location.

But any idea how long such verification normally takes place before they confirm an offer? I'm hoping to hear something from the recruiter soon.. hopefully this week.

1 week on an average - 2 weeks at max

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We will find a way or we will make one