Kiwi off to Canada!

Hi all
I am looking into the idea of heading to Canada for a 1 year working/travelling holiday. I'm not sure how to start planning this as there are so many ideas and things to do and see.
I have people I could stay with in Calgary and Victoria which is really handy to start with. Ideally I will get settled first, maybe travel a little to start with then come back to calgary or Vancouver to get a job..
Any ideas or thoughts on where to start or give me some ideas to help start with my planning would be much appreciated.
Cheers.
C

Unfortunately you will have to go through the burocracy's paper work before thinking of coming to Canada to work,unless your connections here in Canada can get you work "under the table"
(Canadian expression for working illegally).
If you are going to enter Canada as a tourist and hope to get a job of some sort say nothing of this to any government/customs official as you will immediately be denied entry into Canada.

[ 04-Dec-2009, at 12:09 by jambo101 ]

Hi Casey

I am also a Kiwi in Canada! I have been here (Vancouver) since September, and not to put you off, but the job situation is ROUGH. I am having to go home in a few weeks because I couldn't find work, and Vancouver is certainly not a cheap place to live. There are a lot of Canadians out of work as well so the market is VERY competitive.

This doesn't mean that you won't find work, I just didn't have the right experience in the right areas! So, as long as you have experience in either hospo or retail (and you are willing to work for next to nothing!) then you should be okay (a lot of places require a degree too). Minimum wage in BC is only about $8.50 or something, so you really won't be getting much more than that in retail or hospo - but if that doesn't bother you, then go for it!! If you are willing to get out there and door knock, and hand your CV into lots of places, then that is a bonus too.

There was plenty of work on the skifields and stuff, but accommodation was hard to find.

I would recommend doing some travelling first - this way, if you end up in a situation like mine, you will have seen some sights and not be too disappointed about having to leave (I went around Vancouver Island, and the Rockies when I first got here).

When are you thinking of getting here? The situation might be different by mid next year - and I imagine there will be a heap more bar jobs available around summer

Anyway, let me know if you have any more questions, I am happy to help!

Cheers

Jacquie

Hey Casey
I'm a kiwi who's been to Canada twice on working holiday visas 2005-2006 and again in 2008. It is a bit tough but I also started out in Calgary at a friends and found it hard getting a job in the city so I looked out at the ski fields and ended up very easily getting a job at Lake Louise during the summer season. When my bf and I went back in 08 he too got a job really easily at Lake Louise for the winter. They have a range of jobs from being a lift attendant to a server and it was good cos it was only a few hours from my friend in Calgary.

It's pretty easy to get the one year working visa too and if it is your first time I recommend doing it yourself rather than through say iep because they will charge you a fee for doing it for you. Second time round they got me my return visa, they were excellent! You could use them (at an extra cost) to go to job fairs in NZ and possibly get work before departing, then you get their support over there initally

Yeah, given that the general job market is competitive over there your best bet might be to go through a company who'd find you a job (in a ski field, at a summer camp etc). Then at least you have gauranteed employment for several months to begin your stay with. IEP and CCUSA are two such companies you could try - kelsop is right, they do charge a fee, but it might be worth it to know you'll have that period of employment


Kiwi off to Canada!

Kiwi off to Canada!

Kiwi off to Canada!

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