IEC - Professional jobs possible?

[ISTJ]

Hello. I am an Australian citizen turning 31 in a month and was half thinking of going to Canada in about a year from now on the IEC program (up to 2 years for Australians).

I currently have a good career in IT, so it would mean having to give that up. What are my chances of getting professional work in IT while on the IEC work holiday? Some people have said that you'd only be likely to get low end casual jobs, eg working in retail, restaurant, or a hotel etc. If my chances are small, then I guess its probably not worth it.

Anyone here ever managed to get professional type work while on an IEC work holiday?

 

[iam_toby]

Hello. I am an Australian citizen turning 31 in a month and was half thinking of going to Canada in about a year from now on the IEC program (up to 2 years for Australians).

I currently have a good career in IT, so it would mean having to give that up. What are my chances of getting professional work in IT while on the IEC work holiday? Some people have said that you'd only be likely to get low end casual jobs, eg working in retail, restaurant, or a hotel etc. If my chances are small, then I guess its probably not worth it.

Anyone here ever managed to get professional type work while on an IEC work holiday?

Yes, it's possible. It depends on your credentials and you have to be lucky to find a company
which is willing to hire you on a temporary basis. I'm in IT myself, found a company and I'm here in my third year.
Definitely possible.

T.

 

[ISTJ]

Yes, it's possible. It depends on your credentials and you have to be lucky to find a company
which is willing to hire you on a temporary basis. I'm in IT myself, found a company and I'm here in my third year.
Definitely possible.

T.

Possible, but how likely? I wonder if you were just lucky? Most people said they have only managed to get casual minimum wage work because no employer was willing to take them on for any professional/skilled jobs.

How did you manage to stay there for 3 years? I thought 2 was the maximum?

Also my girlfriend is a German citizen, so she could only stay 1 year. Is it possible to get this extended so she could also stay 2 years like me? I believe it says on the immigration site that it cannot be extended, so is there any other way?

It's basically now or never, as I only have a month before I turn 31. However it's still a huge risk to take - I could give up my career here and end up with a low paid minimum job, or worse - no job at all.

If I had the choice, I would rather live in Vancouver due to the nature. However, I have a feeling that its less risky in Toronto as there would be more jobs - especially in IT?

 

[iam_toby]

Possible, but how likely? I wonder if you were just lucky? Most people said they have only managed to get casual minimum wage work because no employer was willing to take them on for any professional/skilled jobs.

I wouldn't be able to tell you, if I was lucky or what happened, but I scored the position. But yes, you're more likely to end up in retail or with a lower wage job as you're only permitted to work for the duration of your permit and usually companies look for something long term.

How did you manage to stay there for 3 years? I thought 2 was the maximum?

1 year IEC, followed by another 1 year IEC and then I applied for permanent residence.

Also my girlfriend is a German citizen, so she could only stay 1 year. Is it possible to get this extended so she could also stay 2 years like me? I believe it says on the immigration site that it cannot be extended, so is there any other way?

I'm German as well, and IEC visas can't be extended. But she can apply for a WHP ( 1 year visa ) and then, after that ( she would have
to find a job that's somewhat related to her education ), apply for another 1 year Young Professional visa.

It's basically now or never, as I only have a month before I turn 31. However it's still a huge risk to take - I could give up my career here and end up with a low paid minimum job, or worse - no job at all.

That's what you would risk by coming to Canada, for sure. But no one will be able to make that decision for you.

If I had the choice, I would rather live in Vancouver due to the nature. However, I have a feeling that its less risky in Toronto as there would be more jobs - especially in IT?

I live in Vancouver, but also can't tell you anything about Toronto. There's jobs here, for sure, but I don't know
about your credentials and if you would get in or not.

Hope this helps,

T.

 

[PMM]

Hi

Hello. I am an Australian citizen turning 31 in a month and was half thinking of going to Canada in about a year from now on the IEC program (up to 2 years for Australians).

I currently have a good career in IT, so it would mean having to give that up. What are my chances of getting professional work in IT while on the IEC work holiday? Some people have said that you'd only be likely to get low end casual jobs, eg working in retail, restaurant, or a hotel etc. If my chances are small, then I guess its probably not worth it.

Anyone here ever managed to get professional type work while on an IEC work holiday?

Well you will be too old for IEC for Australians. The age limit is under 31.

 

[iam_toby]

Hi


Well you will be too old for IEC for Australians. The age limit is under 31.

He has to -

be between the ages of 18 and 30 (inclusive). Be aged 18-30 years inclusive at the time your application is received.

so if he applies before he turns 31 he's not too old. Since the LOI, at least in my case, is valid for one year, but he has to enter Canada before the LOI expires. Or am I wrong here?


T.

 

[LPS]

I got work as a software developer on my IEC.

The Australian working holiday program makes it somewhat easier than other countries, being two years and renewable (although due to your age this will be your last one).

I applied mostly for contract jobs at first, thinking this was my best chance at finding work on a temporary permit, but I ended up in permanent jobs. If the topic of my work authorisation came up, I would be open about the expiry date, but also mentioned that I would be able to continue as a permanent resident through CEC (which I did end up doing).

I found the bigger obstacle was getting interviews with no Canadian experience or credentials on my resume.

There are more IT opportunities here in Toronto for sure, but Vancouver is going to be the next best option and there are a ton of Aussies in BC.

 

[ISTJ]

How long did it take you both to get jobs? Did you get the job while you were in Canada, or before you moved?

 

[LPS]

^ I started looking soon after I arrived - it took a couple of months to get each job. That said, the process of actively looking for work was new to me. I know people who had work lined up before they arrived in Canada. Especially in IT it depends what your particular set of skills is.

 

[iam_toby]

^ I started looking soon after I arrived - it took a couple of months to get each job. That said, the process of actively looking for work was new to me. I know people who had work lined up before they arrived in Canada. Especially in IT it depends what your particular set of skills is.

I agree, I came here and then started looking for work as I wanted to be present for interviews - just don't like the
idea of interviews over Skype or the phone.
To get the job I do right now, it took me about 4 months, but I always had gigs lined up while I applied for jobs.
Having said that, some of my friends came here and had jobs lined up. So if you decide to apply, I would recommend
preparing your resume beforehand, so you can hit the ground running when you get here.
Also, check out http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home-eng.do?lang=eng and http://www.monster.ca/ or even http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites#CA and see if you can maybe get something lined up before you come.

Good luck!

T.