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Hey AUSACA,

No real direct help, but it seems like you have to work your way up over here in Canada when you're reasonably fresh off the boat, no matter what you do.

Could be worth bussing for a bit, prove your worth, work your way up? Show that you're willing to do anything (within reason!) and prove yourself valuable.

Maybe move to a smaller town too? I know someone who got work in a bar in a smaller town in the rockies pretty easily... out in the stick an Aussie will be something new & different, whereas they're used to us in the cities these days

Best of luck!

J

Yeah, that sort of stuff can take a while... I remember when I was in Vancouver back in 2000 I was searching for a month, then ended up getting something completely different. I was looking for restaurant/bar work like yourself, but then ended up selling paint at a hardware store!

Ottawa is basically like Canberra - lots of pollies. It's probably less of a traveller hub, so you might have some luck there. Won't know if you don't try it! Nice town too... I kinda prefer it to Toronto

Yo,

If anything, later may be the way to go - the closer to winter you get, the less likely folks are to be taking holidays.

No real contacts in the banking industry I don't think, but maybe there's a discussion forum for them?

Let us know how you go,

J

Winter can be pretty draining and a lot of people don't get enough Vitamin D, but I think you're well and truly prepared if you've got yourself financially ready for 6 months worth of waiting. Pick up a retail job working weekends an you'll have enough to supplement your savings and that will still leave you clear for interviews during the week... More than one way to skin a cat

Hi J,

You explained that anyone who just arrives has to work their way up.

As mentioned, I am hoping to start working in the finance/ banking sector of Toronto, do you think it is a good idea to do non-paid work for a month (since I will have savings)?

This idea came about as my cousin did the non-paid IT work after leaving university - the time when the IT bubble burst, and thus, he eventually became a temporary/ contract worker and then became a permanent.

Are Canadians like Aussies, in the sense that Aussies like to give people a go? Are Canadians open or conservative? According to one of my mates in Macquarie Bank who is from Toronto (when I found out he was from Canada, he became my best mate LOL) believed that Canadians in general more more closed that Aussies. What do you think?

Thanks,

Hey AUSACA,

If you haven't found work in Toronto yet or moved elsewhere, it might be an idea to try finid something a little out off Toronto... head to Union station jump on the GO train headed west and drop some resumes in the next town or two over. I'm in Burlington (about an hour out of Toronto by car OR train) and was just about to apply for jobs in Toronto when I luckily found one here. I'm in retail and it is hard to get in over here cause everyone is cutting down staff sizes.

Catching the GO trian will be a pain but if it gets you in somewhere it's at least something while you look closer to home right?