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faizq
Edmonton
57 Posts |
 Posted - 12/28/2003 : 03:15:30
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Hello,
I am a Computer Science Engineer and intend to migrate to Canada soon.
I am basically into the field of Applications Development.
I would like to know if there are any specific examinations or courses for IT that are to be completed for getting jobs in the Canadian IT industry.
Regards,
Faiz
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Jurgen
Mississauga
16 Posts |
Posted - 12/31/2003 : 08:45:40
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I think the IT industry has its own qualifications.
If you have your certification(s) I think it will help to assess
your skills better.
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Moderator
Ontario
8788 Posts |
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JobAgencies.ca
Toronto
1 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2004 : 12:07:28
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quote:
Hello,
I am a Computer Science Engineer and intend to migrate to Canada soon.
I am basically into the field of Applications Development.
I would like to know if there are any specific examinations or courses for IT that are to be completed for getting jobs in the Canadian IT industry.
Regards,
Faiz
Most of the well paid IT jobs (contract and permanent) are offered through recruitment agencies here in Canada. I personally don't like this, but that's the way it is [:)]. All these agencies or majority of them prefer to hire newcomers, because new immigrants want less money compared to the already established professionals, hence the recruiter commission is higher. It's not uncommon employee to get only half of what the employer is paying to the recruiter.
My advice is to research what is the going rate for your field of expertise and not to rush to get the first job offer [:)].
Good luck!
Peter Todorov
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Flyer
toronto
97 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2004 : 10:16:24
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quote:
Most of the well paid IT jobs (contract and permanent) are offered through recruitment agencies here in Canada.
I'm not sure this is true; the hidden job market plays a big role in IT right now as veryfew people are hiring. Those that are may go the recruiter route; but not all.
However, the rest of your post is good advice. [:D]
Anybody coming to Canada right now with IT qualifications should make sure they have a list of all their skills, whether they be involving computers or not. Multi-skilled people with capabilities outside of IT have a better chance of finding a job.
The days of being hired because you have experience with one or two programs are finished.
Just my two cents from somewhere in Toronto,
Flyer
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Moderator
Ontario
8788 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2004 : 13:10:39
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Some tips:
Divide IT labour market into a couple of segments. Companies not in IT but have IT requirements (largest group is financial services). These companies absolutely insist on Canadian experience. They will pay a premium to get Canadian experience. Another segment, more oriented to development (software developers). Many are small companies, many don’t survive their development period. These employers emphasize technical skills—software, technical, etc.
1. The financial sector hires the most IT and they require excellent English (soft skills) and the complete understanding of the Canadian employment culture
2. Software development companies hire based on technical skills and do not require excellent English, new Canadians get paid less but, can obtain Canadian experience
3. Resume tip; employers are looking for problems solved and processes taken to do so as a priority over education and certifications (Put Education and Certifications on last page) - Certification not part of IT environment
4. Resumes are reviewed by IT managers in small companies and by HR in large companies
5. Take short contract jobs to establish Canadian experience; agencies are ideal for these jobs - Practical strategies — redefine goal in term of shorter term. Sign up with an agency and get a two or three month job that will get you some experience.
6. When you state your certifications also illustrate your core competencies and research company needs before contacting
7. The IT jobs that are stable and growing are networking positions
8. Programmers are becoming more specialized - Small companies like software development may offer more opportunities
9. Make use of informational interviews and be honest about them (don’t turn an informational interview into a job interview) - Create + Use your network
10. Keep your resume in point form and customize your resume for each job applied - Tie your own experience and value to deliver skills on your resume
11. Volunteer in Non Profits who need IT support
I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.
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Marco
Content Coordinator
Settlement.Org
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stanvard
TA
2 Posts |
Posted - 02/21/2004 : 11:40:31
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Thank you for excellent overview.
Have a follow-up question:
I have a serious US experience in financial service IT. Is it being received as the same as/better/worse than Canadian one by the employers?
stanvard
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Moderator
Ontario
8788 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2004 : 19:40:05
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quote:
Have a follow-up question: I have a serious US experience in financial service IT. Is it being received as the same as/better/worse than Canadian one by the employers?
That is a question only an employer can answer. In theory, if the experience you have is completely transferable to a Canadian environment, you should not have too many difficulties having Canadiam employers recognize your skills.
You have a number of ways of finding out. Review job ads posted by Canadian employers to see how they match the skills and experience you have. If they are similar, then it's all about how you market your skills and package them so that a Canadian employer will recognize that you have what they are looking for.
You can also contact sector associations to find out more about industry trends, skills sought after and other information that can help you to better understand the Canadian climate. For better or worse, Canadian employers have consistenly said that they are not only looking for "hard" or technical skills, but also "soft" or more communication/interpersonal/attitude skills.
You can find some helpful information about all of this here:
What do employers want?
http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?faq_id=4000389
How can I find information about companies in Ontario?
http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?faq_id=4000557
I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.
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Marco
Content Coordinator
Settlement.Org
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stanvard
TA
2 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2004 : 03:51:10
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Thank you again for valuable information.
For other IT professionals in this forum I want to suggest a very good site for all professional statistics you can think of. Look at various reports published on www.shrc.ca - the site run by a non-profit professional organization contains Canada-wide information on geographical, age, sector, education and other relevant parameters of IT jobs in Canada. It is there -- and nowhere else -- that I found that about 50% of all IT jobs are in GTA. You will also see very interesting salary data - markedly below the ones you find on famous job-hunters sites -- I'd say 20%-30% below -- and thus much more reliable.
stanvard
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sangita
surat
2 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2004 : 05:25:47
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I am MBA in finance and computer information system from india. I also know SAP R/3 technical & FI/CO modules, but no experinece in SAP. what are my job prospects?
sangita
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Flyer
toronto
97 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2004 : 10:54:37
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quote:
I am MBA in finance and computer information system from india. I also know SAP R/3 technical & FI/CO modules, but no experinece in SAP. what are my job prospects?
sangita
Hmmm....I can't speak to the specifics of your qualifiations, but I can tell you this:
Qualifications alone do not get you a job in Canada.
Your prospects are dependent upon demand for your skills + your job search capabilities. I hope you are aware of this, but many people are not.
Everyday I run into specialists from many different fields (IT managers, accountants, professors, personal support workers, office assitants, social workers: just about every field) who do not understand this. Sometimes I have to put it in very stark words:
Training will help when you get a job
Training will help when you get an interview
Training will help when somebody looks at your resume
BUT...
Training does not get you a job
Training does not get you a job interview
Training does not get somebody looking at your resume
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Asa
Toronto
25 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 10:11:26
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OK, so what does a get you a job interview? From that poitn it all depends on you, but how do you get there?
quote:
Your prospects are dependent upon demand for your skills + your job search capabilities. I hope you are aware of this, but many people are not.
Everyday I run into specialists from many different fields (IT managers, accountants, professors, personal support workers, office assitants, social workers: just about every field) who do not understand this. Sometimes I have to put it in very stark words:
Training will help when you get a job
Training will help when you get an interview
Training will help when somebody looks at your resume
BUT...
Training does not get you a job
Training does not get you a job interview
Training does not get somebody looking at your resume
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spa
Toronto
2 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2004 : 18:08:29
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I have been in this country for 3 months now. I have 15 years of IT experience out of which 5 were in US. I have attended about 4 interviews and unsuccessful. I have lost my confidence and think if it is just me?
Frankly, I do not beleive in getting stuck in lower level jobs which are usually referred as so-called "survival jobs", because according to me this is not what I had dreamed of comming to Canada to do and then I have seen many of my friends take these survival jobs as a security blanket and are satisfied with what they are earning!!!! As it is definitely higher currency wise when compared back home and I do not wish to get trapped like them.
I have now decided to get myself upgraded and see if my marketability increases and wait for couple of months before planning to go back home for ever and thank Canada for shattering our dreams!!!!!
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Flyer
toronto
97 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2004 : 16:14:35
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quote:
OK, so what does a get you a job interview? From that poitn it all depends on you, but how do you get there?
Being in the right place at the right time with the right attitude and the right preparation.
An employment counsellor can work through the barriers all of us have, cause all of us have some barriers, to being in that place, at that time, with that attitude and with proper preparation. But, they will NOT give us any of that stuff. We have to learn it and practice it ourselves.
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SubatomicBionicNanoMan
Lexington
1 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2008 : 22:54:05
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**********THE SECRET TO GETTING A GOOD IT JOB***********
Listen very carefully to these simple words::
Make your resume **stand out**
1) Have a variety of niche skills.
Go to job sites then search for "niche" skills: those that seem somewhat wayward, but still appear in a significant number on ads. These are the skills you should learn. Keep learning always: on and off the job
2) Take continuing education courses in new technologies. Again these should be niche technologies not your run of the mill software packages (like Visual Basic) unless they are in high demand
3) If you are urgently looking for a job, join a temporary staffing agency. Howver do not be complacent. This is the worst thing that can happen to your career. Keep quitting jobs and moving to new experiences outside your comfort zone.
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