remiaig:
Let me try and explain further what I mean by doing a masters or diploma should be a last resort after considering all options. I will use my own personal experience, I landed in Ottawa, so my knowledge will be limited to Ottawa, as I don’t know much about other parts of Ontario. Just like your hypothetical friend after the first few weeks, of job search and no result, I was considering doing another masters, having just completed my MBA, the cost was not encouraging. Eventually, I realized that searching for a job as a newcomer in Canada is a full time Job itself. Asides, from daily job search online, I went to a lot of workshops to learn something new and connect with new people. Eventually, I started volunteering, that was one of the best decisions I made whilst waiting for my first paid job. I also considered unpaid internship (there are some settlement agencies in Ottawa that offer this), but got a Job before then. Below is a list I made for a friend who wanted to know what I did before getting my first job. Hopefully this helps. Ultimately, the decision is yours but I think it’s best to try, try and try again.

1) Register with organizations that help newcomers with job search, resume writing, interview skills, job opportunities ( there are a lot of resources available in these organizations)- I used the following (they also accept walk-in)

YMCA -
Website: http://www.ymcaywca.ca
Address: 180 Argyle Avenue Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2P 1B7

World Skills Employment Centre
Website: http://ottawa-worldskills.org
Address: 219 Argyle Ave., Ottawa ON K2P 2H4

Others include ( never used them but heard they are good)

OCISO (https://ociso.org) - I have attended a few workshops organized by them.

Catholic immigration centre
http://cciottawa.ca
219 Argyle Ave., Ottawa ON K2P 2H4

2) Attend bridging programs related to profession.

In-Tac - they offer bridging programs for international trained professionals in IT, Accounting, Finance and Banking Bacground. They also connect students to employers through employment fairs

Website: https://in-tac.ca
Address: 400 Cooper Street, Suite 2000 Ottawa, ON, K2P 2H8

There are bridging programs for other professions offered by other organizations

3) Register with recruitment agencies such as (some of them accept walk-in)
Randstad, Manpower, Hays, Adecco, Excel/Altis, LRO Staffing, OfficeTeam

4) Register and search job sites daily for new opportunities (see below some of the ones I use)
Workopolis, Glassdoor.ca, Monster.ca, Indeed.ca, Eluta.ca, simplyhired.ca, Kijiji.ca, wowjobs.ca

5) Update LinkedIn profile (WorldSkills organizes LinkedIn workshops which is really helpful). Also use LinkedIn to search for job opportunities.

6) Labour market research (this gives you an idea of where ones skills are required and companies looking for such skills)

https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/search_occupation-eng.do?titleKeyword=international banking manager&id_en=443&id_fr=568&noc=0122®ionKeyword=Toronto%2C ON&area=9219&action=Search

7) Volunteer while waiting ( there are some roles related to ones profession which will help gain essential Canadian experience)
Volunteer Ottawa (used the site to get my current volunteering role)
Website: https://www.volunteerottawa.ca

Consider Mentorship programs (I haven’t joined one yet, but will definitely do after my bridging program)

9) Join online forums of other newcomers in Canada sharing their experience, difficulties, success, (sometimes you learn new information, and possibly connect with other newcomers in the same field) Currently, I use the below online forum

https://www.nairaland.com/3617393/living-canada-life-canadian-immigrant/221

10) Research, Research, Research (searching online for new opportunities on a daily basis) - attended as many workshops as possible and used information from there to help with my online research.

Above all keep an open mind and look beyond Ottawa for opportunities if required

I may have forgotten somethings but hopefully this helps.

@remiaig Thank you for this. i have intention of settling in ottawa and seeing this post is a good one for me. Please i work with a bank (operations unit) tho i hope to take up some courses such as csc or ific. does ottawa have opportunities for people like me ? (tho i am very willing to change careers.). Moreso, whats the cost of living like? cos i would have preferred a place like Toronto but i have read severally that it is very expensive.

AZeD1:

Like I stated in my write up, it's going to be tough so if I were you, I'll start by getting a GitHub account and writing simple programs, each more complicated than the previous.
I'll also advise that you prepare your mind to earn less than your worth for a while 6-12 months just so you get that experience.

Also if possible, find an open source program and contribute, even if it's documentation. That'll be a very big plus on your CV.

Thank you very much for this advice.

blessings2017:
Happy new month guys!

I recently got COPR but not landed yet. I wish to do a short-landing in September i.e stay for 2months in Calgary before coming back to Nigeria to tidy up my affairs. I'm using the short stay to test the waters, write a couple of NCA exams for FTL ( foreign-trained lawyers),and most importantly, get my PR card before leaving.

However, i have some concerns, maybe unfounded, about the following;
1. Does an officer at POE have access to one's itinerary to know if i intend going back?
2. what if in the event that I'm asked if I'm going back to Nigeria, how do i tactically maneuver ?
3. Will the officer refuse to process my PR card seeing that i plan to do short-landing?
4. Can I go ahead in paying for return flight ticket, or should I purchase one-way flight ticket? Prices are relatively cheap at the moment, but gradually increasing. Paying a one-way ticket isn't quite economical.

Veterans in short-landing/landed seniors, biko help me out . Just a young dude trying to use one stone to kill 3 birds in the most economical way. First time experience.

Apologies if this issue has been thrashed previously.

Please my people, help me attempt the above questions. I need to make an informed decision and pay for my flight ticket as soon as possible.

Thanks

blessings2017:


Please my people, help me attempt the above questions. I need to make an informed decision and pay for my flight ticket as soon as possible.

Thanks

Your PR gives you the right to enter and leave Canada at will, it's nobody's business if you want to do short landing.

You can't be penalized for that.

Hello House, we don land o, everything was smooth from the airport to shotstay at Toronto, before arriving Nova scotia, currently in Dartmouth area
But this job search no get part two, thank God sha my wife has gotten a job in a call center
as for me IT , the search is on


Anyways please what is the best way of transferring money from nigeria, i cant do wire transfer with online banking as i have to visit the nigerian bank branch physically
and my GT atm is not working here, any advice from seniors please

AZeD1:

Your PR gives you the right to enter and leave Canada at will, it's nobody's business if you want to do short landing.

You can't be penalized for that.

Thanks for your reply.

Guys,

I'm currently looking at flying with BA because price is cheap. There would be a 9-hour layover @ Heathrow airport UK. I read somewhere that one needs a transit visa if passing through UK . As for me, i intend to stay put inside that airport for the 9hrs since the connecting flight is still in Heathrow.

Do you still think I need the transit visa?

blessings2017:

Guys,

I'm currently looking at flying with BA because price is cheap. There would be a 9-hour layover @ Heathrow airport UK. I read somewhere that one needs a transit visa if passing through UK . As for me, i intend to stay put inside that airport for the 9hrs since the connecting flight is still in Heathrow.

Do you still think I need the transit visa?

No you wouldn't, as long as u stick to ur plan of staying put at Heathrow for all of 9 hours,u will only need a visa if u will be switching airports to say Gatwick for your connecting flight to Canada.

300

verygoodones1:
Hello House, we don land o, everything was smooth from the airport to shotstay at Toronto, before arriving Nova scotia, currently in Dartmouth area
But this job search no get part two, thank God sha my wife has gotten a job in a call center
as for me IT , the search is on


Anyways please what is the best way of transferring money from nigeria, i cant do wire transfer with online banking as i have to visit the nigerian bank branch physically
and my GT atm is not working here, any advice from seniors please

Oga Sir,
Abeg gist us your experience, make we sef dey learn

mzjennypher:


@remiaig Thank you for this. i have intention of settling in ottawa and seeing this post is a good one for me. Please i work with a bank (operations unit) tho i hope to take up some courses such as csc or ific. does ottawa have opportunities for people like me ? (tho i am very willing to change careers.). Moreso, whats the cost of living like? cos i would have preferred a place like Toronto but i have read severally that it is very expensive.

@mzjennypher, in my opinion, Ottawa has opportunities for people with banking background, but it depends on the type of roles you are looking for, that’s why doing your own research is very important. Check job sites or LinkedIn to see if the type of roles you are looking for are available in the city you plan to relocate to. A labour market research also helps (see link below):

https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/explorecareers

I think Ottawa is affordable (from the perspective of a single individual, don’t know if it’s the same for those with families). I lived in shared accommodation in the downtown area, my rent was 625 CAD inclusive of all bills and internet. I applied for equipass and got discount on bus pass, see link below:

http://www.octranspo.com/tickets-and-passes/equipass

In terms of food and all, unfortunately I can’t really give a breakdown or estimate.

I no longer live in Ottawa, I moved in February. I took my own advice “keep an open mind and look beyond Ottawa for opportunities if required”.

I wish you all the best in your journey. Research, Research, Research, but ultimately the decision is yours to make. Have a nice weekend.

Any response to these questions, please!

studyexec:

Hey guys,
Looking to move to Calgary with my family this August. Have a few questions

(1) Do I need to obtain the International Drivers Permit from Nigeria before travelling? Someone advised me it should help. Or is the FRSC letter adequate for processing the Canadian license - Alberta.

(2) I read about a rule / law that a child(ren) of opposite sex older than 5 years should not share rooms...or something like that. My kids are 5.5 and 2.5 years old. What is the rule / law and implications for us? Can the kids share rooms? Do we need to rent a 3 bedroom to cater for these rule / law?

(3) Whats with the ranking of elementary and secondary school rankings. Do we have to look for those ranked like 7 and above? Or it does not really matter much in terms of e.g. quality of teaching, background of children as per neighborhood, etc?

Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone. Please which province aside Toronto is best for someone with Trade Finance Experience and certification with about 12 years banking experience? Can someone with Trade Finance experience get a job in the other fields aside banking? I have CDCS and CITF certifications, what other qualifications do I need to get a top Trade Finance or banking job? I am looking to land in December.

passe:
@Oluwapelumni87

For some personal reasons,I only read and appreciate the contributions of members of the forum. I don't usually get involve on issues personally to avoid unwarranted issues on a faceless forum, I am not someone who who likes to make assumption on people I have not met in person.What works for someone in a particular province in Canada may not work for the best of brains in that particular province. So the idea that Toronto is not a city where one can make it is a total fallacy that can only be made by Nigerians.

If you can make it in Nigeria and Europe, you will make it anywhere in the world.It is all mindset. Please don't allow anyone to tell you that you can't make it in Toronto. If for any reason, you decide to move to another province on your own accord,that is fine by me. I have gotten offers from the same Alberta and refused them,yet I have still survive Toronto till date.We are all products of our imaginations,which sets our limits and otherwise.
I have worked in Financial services in Nigeria,UK and recently in Canada(with Scotia Bank) and still ended up dumping the Financial services job and acquired education on a "Recession Proof field", where I am presently working and also doing my business along side.

If you are business minded,you will make millions of Money out out of nothing In Toronto, based on your ability to see things others don't see.

Please try and PM me........you should be able to start something within the next 6weeks after few days training ,which csn give you financial stability to get your desired job afterwards.

People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it. -George Bernard Shaw.

can I on you please?

Blackbuddy:


An interesting topic. Hope my 2 cents above helps someone out.

God bless you sir

blessings2017:


Please my people, help me attempt the above questions. I need to make an informed decision and pay for my flight ticket as soon as possible.

Thanks

Hello.. please, how much would it cost me to process everything (visa, ticket and other money involved). Thanks.

verygoodones1:
Hello House, we don land o, everything was smooth from the airport to shotstay at Toronto, before arriving Nova scotia, currently in Dartmouth area
But this job search no get part two, thank God sha my wife has gotten a job in a call center
as for me IT , the search is on


Anyways please what is the best way of transferring money from nigeria, i cant do wire transfer with online banking as i have to visit the nigerian bank branch physically
and my GT atm is not working here, any advice from seniors please

I greet you Chief. Please how much would it cost a single individual to process both the visa, ticket and other things required? How much would every every cost me? Thank you.

remiaig:
Let me try and explain further what I mean by doing a masters or diploma should be a last resort after considering all options. I will use my own personal experience, I landed in Ottawa, so my knowledge will be limited to Ottawa, as I don’t know much about other parts of Ontario. Just like your hypothetical friend after the first few weeks, of job search and no result, I was considering doing another masters, having just completed my MBA, the cost was not encouraging. Eventually, I realized that searching for a job as a newcomer in Canada is a full time Job itself. Asides, from daily job search online, I went to a lot of workshops to learn something new and connect with new people. Eventually, I started volunteering, that was one of the best decisions I made whilst waiting for my first paid job. I also considered unpaid internship (there are some settlement agencies in Ottawa that offer this), but got a Job before then. Below is a list I made for a friend who wanted to know what I did before getting my first job. Hopefully this helps. Ultimately, the decision is yours but I think it’s best to try, try and try .

@remiaig. This was quite resourceful considering I and my spouse intend to land in Ottawa, Ontario.

While she is a Pharmacist, I am an electrical electronic Engineer (Major in Electronic and computer Engineering) by course of study. My work experience thus far has been in production (Line Manager in a brewery) and as a Maintenance planner (Management). Hence ive never had the opportunity to gain some valuable experience related to my academic background.

Moreso am considering making a total switch to IT management or IT (project management) and not programming or software development side of things on Landing. Thus am considering acquiring a graduate certificate or diploma in IT in a college/Institute right in Ontario (Ottawa preferably).

I dont know if this is a good career decision. Additionally I need some guidance in making this transition and selecting an Institute or college suited for this in Ottawa.

Any further suggestions or support from you or anyone will be so embraced.

Thanks once again.

Good day peeps, I'm back again with my enquiries! I must really appreciate ur inputs on my previous question. Jah bless all

My sis needs someone to nominate her from Manitoba, pls can she get a reliable person residing there to do d nomination? Every other thing is set, just that she doesn't have any relative over there. Pls anybody that can render such assistant should mention me, PM doesn't work for me

salford1:

Alberta is where the money is if that person is willing to move to Ftmac or Grand prairie for oil related jobs.

Calgary for example is now very competitive due to:

1. the high number of immigrants moving in.
2. the large number of grads uni's and colleges churn out especially Sait.

The care job people get easily in Winnipeg is quite tough for people to get in Calgary even with the health aid certificate.

Interestingly, an uncle moved to from Calgary to Winnipeg late last year to start a job with Manitoba Hydro, but there are definetly some careers choices that are almost non existent in the prairie regions.

Edmonton has a lot of jobs. The jobs in northern Alberta have a lot of fly in/fly out. So you can make the oil money while still living in Calgary or Edmonton. I like Calgary out of every city in Alberta. Good jobs is a bit more difficult to get there for sure. More so than other Alberta city.

Kmgb:


No you wouldn't, as long as u stick to ur plan of staying put at Heathrow for all of 9 hours,u will only need a visa if u will be switching airports to say Gatwick for your connecting flight to Canada.

Just to add...I was given a 24hr visa @ POE when switching airports with BA so u don't need to officially apply for a uk visa.

Cc: @blessings2017

codebrew85:
Since you are more inclined towards programming, look for a coding bootcamp and enrol.

The question is can he afford 10k dollars for a coding bootcamp?

Well, if he can, why not. A bootcamp will put him up to speed quickly. It's definitely going to be worth it.

simiolu1:


The question is can he afford 10k dollars for a coding bootcamp?

alt3r3g0:


Just to add...I was given a 24hr visa @ POE when switching airports with BA so u don't need to officially apply for a uk visa.

Cc: @blessings2017

Were you using a Nigerian passport?

Ejadike:
Hello.. please, how much would it cost me to process everything (visa, ticket and other money involved). Thanks.

How much it would cost you from start to finish would depend on one's personal circumstance. Kindly visit the below links, read up and fully digest the info there. You'd be better informed.

Cheers

https://www.nairaland.com/4212543/canadian-express-entry-federal-skilled
https://www.nairaland.com/4472519/canadian-express-entry-federal-skilled

Please good people of nairaland,I have been reading and reading to get information before we land. I intend to do nursing but I don’t have any background in sciences. How do I start? Can I do the Prerequisites online. I have B.A and M.A in Linguistics. I saw the after degree program but I don’t know how it works. Please I need someone to guide me on what and what to do first, even what I can start doing from Nigeria to help me achieve my goal of getting my nursing degree.

maternal:


Edmonton has a lot of jobs. The jobs in northern Alberta have a lot of fly in/fly out. So you can make the oil money while still living in Calgary or Edmonton. I like Calgary out of every city in Alberta. Good jobs is a bit more difficult to get there for sure. More so than other Alberta city.

Edmonton has always been know to have jobs especially the trades or hands-on type (blue collar) in addition to the Government of Alberta jobs, and Calgary is more of white collar job city. Getting a FIFO job in Alberta right now is rare unlike previous times. FIFO jobs were the first to take the hit as cost cutting measures when when the price of oil burst.

I know Grand Prairie for sure is doing well at the moment. Companies were even handing out blue-books to people that have interest in the trades on their first day of arrival in GP. Something that could potentially take 1 years or more to achieve without connections in a place like Calgary. Lots of friends moved there recently, and I was tempted to move as well, but I think it won't be a good decision for me to live a government job for the boom burst cycle in the Texas of the North.

I hope that the trans mountain pipeline goes through completely. This would help bring back some good jobs in Alberta.

alt3r3g0:

Just to add...I was given a 24hr visa @ POE when switching airports with BA so u don't need to officially apply for a uk visa.
Cc: @blessings2017

were you a landed immigrant already at the time? Canada has a TWOV (transit without visa) agreement for their PRs with the UK. It means you can transit through the country without an existing visa(usually as long as your flight leaves by midnight of that day or within 24hrs I'm not sure of exact duration). However, this TWOV is entirely at the discretion of the UK border official.

Just saw this on facebook. For Brandon, Manitoba residents of those with friends in Brandon:

enocoded4life:

Yes you can.

Good Evening, i've sent the pm but you have replied.

vcole:
were you a landed immigrant already at the time? Canada has a TWOV (transit without visa) agreement for their PRs with the UK. It means you can transit through the country without an existing visa(usually as long as your flight leaves by midnight of that day or within 24hrs I'm not sure of exact duration). However, this TWOV is entirely at the discretion of the UK border official.

Not at all...This was a few years back on transit from US.

Tojued:


Were you using a Nigerian passport?

Yes