Winning Away Expat Tips & Resources

Your Canadian Visa: Don’t Leave Home Without It

Emmanuelle Archer — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:37:41 +0000

Canada does an excellent job of marketing itself as an open, welcoming country looking to attract new immigrants. It certainly lives up to its reputation in terms of tolerance and ethnic diversity. However, this doesn’t mean you can waltz into Canada and expect to be automatically granted permanent resident status – far from it.

If you’re considering relocating to Vancouver, your very first concern should be getting a visa. There will be plenty of time later to think about the job market, find a place to live or look for a school for your kids.

Don’t assume getting a Canadian visa is a mere formality. The process is often lengthy, admissibility criteria are getting increasingly restrictive, and quotas apply for each visa category.

In other words, you need to do your homework, and do it well ahead of your planned relocation date.

Where can you find the information you need?

The only fully reliable and up-to-date source for immigration matters is the government. You can either talk to the nearest Canadian embassy / consulate, or visit the official Immigration Canada website.

There is a whole range of visas you can apply for, depending on your age, your professional profile, and your relocation goals. Only a specialist can advise you on the best visa category to apply under.

Don’t rely on second-hand information, even if people seem to know what they’re talking about. It doesn’t matter how quickly your neighbour’s son got his visa last year – what you need to find out is how long it’ll take to get your own application processed.

What if you don’t have a visa?

Many foreigners don’t need a visa to get into Canada. However, without a proper visa or work permit, you’ll be considered a tourist. This means you can only stay in the country for 6 months maximum, and you will not be allowed to work.

If you’re planning on working or becoming a resident, you absolutely need a visa or work permit. There is no way around this.

It is your responsibility to make sure you can get a visa before making any significant commitment, such as renting a place or accepting a job in Canada.

As for landing in Vancouver as a tourist in the hopes that things will work themselves out… that’s really chancing it. I can only advise against such a risky tactic, as it could have serious consequences for you and your potential employer.

Emmanuelle

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Image by Nick 1297, via Flickr Creative Commons

Emmanuelle

Getting hired in Vancouver: show you’re trustworthy

Emmanuelle Archer — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 01:31:27 +0000

Trustworthiness is key to any successful job search. Especially in Canada, where interpersonal skills and “clicking” with your potential employer are perhaps the most decisive factors in getting hired.

The trust issue

Let’s tell it like it is: as an expat, you have to work twice as hard at convincing recruiters you’re trustworthy.

Sounds unfair? Well put yourself in the employer’s shoes for a second:
- They don’t know if you’re going to stay in Vancouver for good;
- They have no idea how your foreign degree compares to Canadian credentials;
- You have no local contacts they can easily phone up to do a reference check;
- They may worry you’re going to ask them to sponsor you for a visa.

Now that’s quite a few red flags, isn’t it? No wonder newcomers often find it hard to get interviews!

What to do about it

Thankfully, there are several ways you can work around this issue.

Make your resumé as Canadian as you can

- Translate or explain anything that may be unfamiliar to Canadians (scope of your degree, field of studies, etc) – just because it’s obvious to you doesn’t mean it’s obvious to recruiters;
- Get Canadian credentials. No need to go back to school – even a basic certificate will be reassuring to employers, as long as it’s local;
- Get a .ca or .com email address – it will make you look more “settled” than an address that still shows your country of origin.

Get local references

Your references do not necessarily have to be ex-bosses or ex-coworkers. A sports coach, a church minister, a teacher – basically anyone who can be a good judge of your character would make an acceptable reference.

Don’t know anyone in town? Go volunteer for an organization of interest to you, preferably in a position relevant to your skills and professional goals. If you do a good job, your supervisor will be happy to act as a reference.

Address any potential issues upfront

Do you know the saying, “a confused mind always says no?” In hiring terms, this means that anything left unexplained will automatically raise a red flag in the recruiter’s mind.

Anticipate the employer’s concerns, and make sure to address them on your cover letter. For example, explain any gaps in your resumé due to international moves. If you are a permanent resident, be sure to mention it. If you’re job-hunting from abroad, make your visa/work permit situation very clear, or your application won’t even be considered.

Getting an employer to trust you may take a bit of extra work, but if you put recruiters at ease by showing that you’re serious about settling and working in Vancouver, you should be well on your way to getting your first Canadian work experience!

Was this post helpful? Do you need more personalized job search advice? Contact me to schedule a one-on-one consultation.

Emmanuelle

Image by LWPrencipe, via Flickr Creative Commons

Getting hired: the importance of being likeable

Emmanuelle Archer — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 03:37:45 +0000

Last week, I was asked to provide a reference for someone. The reference form I had to fill was very well thought-out. It was obviously designed to elicit useful answers, not just vague statements along the lines of, “I think you should hire this applicant because he’s extremely professional”.

Most importantly, this form included two questions that shed a lot of light on what truly matters to Canadian recruiters:

- Is this person easy to get along with? Do others/coworkers/clients like him/her?
- Is the individual a happy, positive person, one who people like to be around?

I don’t about you, but where I come from, no recruiter would ever ask about this. Such questions would be seen as too personal, and completely unrelated the applicant’s job performance.

Not so in Canada.

Here, being personable and likeable is part and parcel of being professional.

If you come from a country where technical skills play a much bigger role than personality in being hired, this might require some adjustment on your part.

Too often, foreign applicants play down their personality during interviews, hoping it’ll make them seem more businesslike and trustworthy. Instead, they end up coming across as shy, awkward, and, well, really boring. Not exactly the kind of “happy, positive person” that “people like to be around”!

So don’t be afraid to let your personality show. It doesn’t matter if you’re the bubbly and congenial type, or if you’re more reserved – no one is asking you to pretend you’re someone you’re not.

But remember recruiters will expect you to have a positive attitude, and to be easy to get along with.

Have you witnessed firsthand the importance of being personable in your own job search? Do you have any stories or tips to share? Please post them in the comments!

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Emmanuelle

Image by Spencer Finnley, via Flickr Creative Commons

Cuts to Skilled Worker & Family visas: what they mean for you

Emmanuelle Archer — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:57:14 +0000

If you’re planning to relocate permanently to Vancouver, you may already know that the federal governement is sharply decreasing the numbers of visas in two categories: Skilled Workers (-20%) and Family Reunification (-30%).

How will these changes affect you?

As far as getting your visa is concerned, probably not that much.

What you need to know: the Skilled Worker visa is a federal program.
Because Canada has two levels of governement (federal and provincial), you can also apply through a provincial program called the PNP (Provincial Nominee Program).

Since this program is run by the provinces themselves, federal quotas don’t apply.

So it’s business as usual, then?

Not quite. With the Skilled Worker category becoming increasingly restrictive, chances are more and more applicants will go through the PNP to get their visa. And since BC is one of the most popular provinces for newcomers, this can only mean more competition and longer processing times.

So if you haven’t started the process yet, my advice is to get your visa application in sooner rather than later.

What about the Family Reunion category?

What you need to know: with these new quotas, bringing your parents to Canada could now take up to 13 years. 13 years!

Whether this will affect your long-term plans or not depends entirely on your personal circumstances.

Were you planning on having your parents come to Canada to look after your kids while you start your own business? Do you foresee your aging parents becoming dependent on you in the future?

If so, you may need to re-evaluate your immigration project, or at least adjust some of your plans so that your family life doesn’t suffer.

Were you aware of these cuts to some visa categories? Have they impacted your immigration plans at all? If you have any questions or remarks, please share them with us in the comments!

Emmanuelle

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Who will be the King?

Emmanuelle Archer — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 17:20:14 +0000

You may be familiar with the King Cake tradition in New Orleans, but have you ever tried the French galette des rois ?

Baked throughout the month of January to celebrate the Epiphany, galette des rois is a delicious frangipane-filled puff pastry cake that hides a small porcelain trinket called a fève (literally: broad bean). The lucky guest who finds the trinket in his share becomes king or queen for a day.

The galette des rois is traditionally shared at home with relatives, at school with classmates, or even at the office with coworkers.

This year, the French expat association Français du Monde à Vancouver is bringing this age-old celebration to Vancouver, complete with storytelling, singalongs, children’s activities, and networking over coffee or tea for the grown-ups.

Join us on January 30 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at Ecole Secondaire Jules-Verne (5445 Baillie St.) to share the galette des rois.

Admission is $5 (free for Français du Monde à Vancouver members and children under 12).

See you there!
Emmanuelle

Image credit: Pierre Touzel – FdM Vancouver

It’s (almost) Beaujolais Nouveau time!

Emmanuelle Archer — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 02:51:41 +0000

When it comes to festive and fun wines, Beaujolais Nouveau is second only to champagne.

Every third Thursday of November, French nationals, francophiles and bons vivants all around the world gather to celebrate the release of the new vintage. In spite of a rapidly growing French contingent, Vancouver was lagging behind in the Beaujolais celebration department… until now.

Français du Monde à Vancouver is pleased to invite you to its Beaujolais Nouveau Party on Friday, November 19, 2010 from 8:00 pm to 1:00 am at W2 Storyeum in Gastown (151 W. Cordova).

This cabaret-style party will feature two artists who will sing French songs old and new, a DJ from 11:00 pm on, and of course a Beaujolais Nouveau bar.

Tickets on sale at the door ($10) – includes a complimentary glass of Beaujolais Nouveau for Français du Monde members (psst: membership is open to all, not just French citizens!)

Will I see you there? If you spot me in the crowd, please don’t hesitate to come introduce yourself – it’s always great to get a chance to meet in person.

Emmanuelle

Image by tamaki, via Flickr Creative Commons

Vancouver, a tough job market? Statistics say otherwise

Emmanuelle Archer — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 06:59:11 +0000

Talk to any job seeker, or go to any expat forum, and the consensus will be that Toronto has plenty of work opportunities – whereas Vancouver, while lovely, can be a tough place to find a job.

That’s what I believed myself for years, because I had heard it so often, it had to be true, right?

Guess what? Much to my surprise, the statistics actually say otherwise.

The hard figures

The September 2010 unemployment rates are out, and here’s what they look like:

- Vancouver: 7.3%
- Toronto: 10.1%
- Canadian average: 8.0%

(Source: Statistics Canada)

Not what you were expecting? I know. Same here.

Disclaimers galore

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies, and statistics!” *

[ * By the way, does anyone know who actually coined this phrase? I've seen it variously attributed to Benjamin Disraeli, Charles W. Dilke, and of course, the ever prolific Mark Twain...]

Sure, there’s more to the issue than just unemployment rates. One single figure, especially when taken out of context, cannot possibly show you the whole picture. And it’s always a good idea to take statistics with a grain of salt – particularly in a politically charged context like unemployment.

But still, figures like these sort of force you to challenge your own perception of the job market in Vancouver.

A shift in perspective

I’d be the worst coach on the planet if I didn’t ask you this simple question:

What changes for you when you tell yourself there is less unemployment in Vancouver than in most of Canada?

… doesn’t it make you more motivated to start looking for a better job today?
… doesn’t it make it easier to write that cover letter you’ve been procrastinating on?
… doesn’t it make it less scary to take a chance and approach someone for a job?

What happens when you stop focusing on scarcity (“There are no jobs out there”, “Everyone’s struggling, why would it be any different for me?”) and look for the positive instead?

After all, we’re doing better here than in the rest of the country, including Toronto. And if most everyone finds a job in Vancouver, why wouldn’t you find one too?

Take your daily vitamins

I’m not saying that it’s going to be easy and smooth sailing from here. I know full well that as a newcomer, you’re facing specific challenges in your job search. That’s precisely why I’m here to help.

But I do strongly believe that a “Hey, it’s not that bad after all!” attitude is ten thousand times more helpful than a “Why even bother?” doom-and-gloom outlook. Employers can often sense you’re insecure just by reading your application, you know – and they’d much rather hire a determined, self-confident candidate.

So make up your mind to look for positive signs (like encouraging statistics) – think of them as daily vitamins to boost your morale and strengthen your determination to land the job you want!

Emmanuelle

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Résumé clichés – Just say no!

Emmanuelle Archer — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 11:43:14 +0000

The #1 problem expats run into when they write their résumé is that they don’t quite know what to say, and how to say it.

They worry that their English may not be perfect. They worry that their writing may sound quaint, or not professional enough.

So they do what every logical person would do: they get one of those “2857 résumés so impressive they’ll make grown men cry” books. And they load up on clichés.

The kiss of death

Clichés are the kiss of death for a résumé.

Seriously. Your résumé may not make grown men cry, but if it sounds like something straight out of Dilbert, it will certainly make recruiters laugh. Or at the very least roll their eyes and discard your application.

How can you tell?

But how do you know if you’re using clichés? How can you even tell them apart from normal everyday phrases?

Here’s a handy list of words to avoid in a résumé. [I love this article - the author doesn't mince words, and the videos are pretty great too.]

A few choice quotes:

- Old, boring, hackneyed words and phrases make your resume look as interesting as cheap wallpaper.

- Multi-tasker – this has often come to mean that a person can do a lot of things at once, but most of them incorrectly.

- Detail-focused, team-oriented, results-driven, highly motivated, no-nonsense manager. That manager wastes too much time writing adjectives.

Need I say more? Arm yourself with your favourite red pen, and get ready to edit that résumé of yours!

Was this post helpful? Do you need more personalized resume writing advice? Contact me to schedule a one-on-one consultation.

Emmanuelle

Image by Jean Jullien

It’s not just about knowing people…

Emmanuelle Archer — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 11:45:46 +0000

It’s all well and good to make contacts…

… but if people don’t have a crystal-clear idea of what you do, how are they ever going to remember you next time they hear about a suitable opening?

Without a good “elevator speech”, your networking efforts aren’t going to do you much good.

Simply mentioning what industry you work in – or what your last position was – isn’t enough. You need to give a clear (and preferably memorable) explanation of what your skills are, and what you can bring to a local company.

A few pointers:

For maximum impact, keep your pitch short. One or two sentences is a perfect length.

Give people talking points – something to talk about when they want to refer you. Don’t leave it up to them to decide what story they will tell about you!

If you’re stuck…

Having a hard time coming up with a convincing one-liner? Here are a few tips:

Identify your strongest skill set, and focus on what you can do for your future employer;
Try to come up with a catchy or unusual phrase – for example, today I met a Vegetarian SEO Expert. I’m not likely to forget about him anytime soon.
If you need step-by-step instructions, let me recommend – once again – the excellent Brag! by Peggy Klaus. This book is guaranteed to give you at least a couple of important insights into elevator speeches, personal branding, and promoting yourself. A must-read for everyone!

Was this post helpful? Do you need more personalized networking advice? Contact me to schedule a one-on-one consultation.

Emmanuelle

Image by stefano principato, via Flickr Creative Commons

Getting known: a couple more tips

Emmanuelle Archer — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 11:36:01 +0000

Since the prospect of getting to know the right people in a new city can be daunting, here are a few more tips that will help you make useful contacts in Vancouver:

- 5 tips to start off on the right foot

- Feeling at home: build your networks online

- How to find the best job opportunities through your contacts

And because this is the best book I’ve ever read about non-slimy networking, I would highly recommend that you pick up a copy of Dig your well before you’re thirsty by Harvey Mckay.

If you have any misgivings about networking at all, this brilliant little book will teach you how to make useful contacts that you can feel good about. Now that’s certainly something worth reading about!

Was this post helpful? Do you need more personalized networking advice? Contact me to schedule a one-on-one consultation.

Emmanuelle

Image by bending light, via Flickr Creative Commons