Working Holiday Visa - advice on finding a basic job

[timjon1]

Got myself that job in Whistler, can start in as little as 2 weeks.. Very happy, just need accommodation now.

[timjon1]

Thought I'd announce that I've arrived in Vancouver and will be heading to squamish for my job interview in the next few days.

I like Canada so far, the weather is nice and cool in Vancouver but I can only imagine it will get colder in Squamish and much more so in Whistler. My hotel is not very accommodating for my needs but I cant wait to get settled into a house and get my feet on the ground. I will soak up as much of Canada as I can whilst I'm over here. The general observation so far is that Canadians are very friendly people, and that will always help me to settle in.

[Oggy]

Woooo hoooo! Welcome to BC!

EDIT TO ADD: Best of luck with your interview... fingers crossed for ya.

[EVHB]

Originally Posted by Weebie

Canada are trying to get a slice of the young educated Aussies and Kiwis to choose Canada over England.

That Working Holiday Program is not only for Aussies an Kiwis, but also for people of the Netherlands and Belgium (and I think also for France and a few other European countries).

(and at this moment, my friend has a son who's doing the same, working on a working holiday program... in Australia :-) )

[timjon1]

Just thought I'd bump my own thread and share with whoever is interested what eventuated with my working holiday trip to Canada.

To sum it up, I ended up missing my roots a little too much and have been back in NZ since March 16th. I found that planning is what ultimately led to me changing my mind and wanting to come home. I worked as a cleaner in Squamish BC with intentions of finding a more technical job in my area of expertise (electronics/computer engineering/industrial automation and control etc).

I found myself looking for technical jobs in a town that didn't have any technical jobs available. I was paying 550CAD a month in a shared residence with 1 other. I enjoyed the living arrangements and got along with my roommate and the landlord who lived downstairs.

My cleaning job I landed before I left for Canada was very low pay and I was literally cleaning toilets from 8pm till 3 in the morning. I was still grateful to at least have a job so my money didn't disappear too quickly.

Now the one thing I should have done in the beginning was buy a cheap vehicle. I assumed it wouldn't be too much of an issue since I could probably get away with bussing everywhere and my job picked me up and dropped me off every shift. But unless my destination was on a bus route or if I wanted to go somewhere in a hurry it was a nightmare. I really wanted the freedom to explore and busing around everywhere was not what I had in mind.

I slowly but surely started to run out of cash and although I could resort to a cash injection from my parents I felt very indecisive about the idea of staying in a town that I was not all that happy in. I made the decision to throw in the towel and come back to NZ and I am currently shortlisted for 2 security system installation jobs that look very promising.

I have not however, ruled out the idea of going back to Canada once I have saved up enough money again. But I will be choosing a different location if I do decide to go back. I think better planning on my part and choosing to stay in a place that is more likely to have technical jobs that suit me would inspire me to stay there long term.

[Weebie]

Originally Posted by EVHB

That Working Holiday Program is not only for Aussies an Kiwis, but also for people of the Netherlands and Belgium (and I think also for France and a few other European countries).

(and at this moment, my friend has a son who's doing the same, working on a working holiday program... in Australia :-) )

Yes but all other working holiday programs are once in a lifetime whilst the one for Australians in Canada is renweable with the Canadian government trying to intice Young skilled Australians to migrate to Canada.

[ange_inthesnow]

Just wanted to say thanks so much for updating us with your working holiday experience. It is good to learn from the experiences of others!

My husband and daughter and I will be heading over in October on the WHV also. We'll be basing ourselves in Vancouver initially and see how the job situation goes. I'm hoping public transport in Vancouver will be more positive than your experience in Squamish!

Thanks again!

[Chukki]

Hey Folks!!!

I am giving serious consideration to visiting Canada in 2013 on a Working Holiday Visa, and I was wondering if anyone can give me some tips and advice! I am 27 and I live in Northern Ireland, and I am employed in a large pharmaceutical company. I currently possess an Irish and British passport. Does anyone know which passport would be better to travel on to boost my chances of being approved, as I will originally be applying for a Working Holiday Visa, with a long term view to potential residency, if I get sponsored. With the Working Holiday Visa, do I have to have a job offer before I arrive in Canada? Are companies reluctant to employ people on Working Holiday Visas, due to them only lasting a year? What is the maximum period I can work in one job? What is the best way of being sponsored? If anyone can help me with any of these questions I would be very grateful!!!

Many Thanks!!!

[Auld Yin]

Originally Posted by Chukki

Hey Folks!!!

I am giving serious consideration to visiting Canada in 2013 on a Working Holiday Visa, and I was wondering if anyone can give me some tips and advice! I am 27 and I live in Northern Ireland, and I am employed in a large pharmaceutical company. I currently possess an Irish and British passport. Does anyone know which passport would be better to travel on to boost my chances of being approved, as I will originally be applying for a Working Holiday Visa, with a long term view to potential residency, if I get sponsored. With the Working Holiday Visa, do I have to have a job offer before I arrive in Canada? Are companies reluctant to employ people on Working Holiday Visas, due to them only lasting a year? What is the maximum period I can work in one job? What is the best way of being sponsored? If anyone can help me with any of these questions I would be very grateful!!!

Many Thanks!!!

Whichever passport you use is irrelevant.
No, you do not need a job offer.
Some companies will be as they will not see you as a long term investment. Notwithstanding, there are many thousands of such visas issued each year successfully.
There is no minimum/maximum term required for jobs while on a WHV.
You need to find an employer willing to apply for a LMO.

[Chukki]

Originally Posted by Auld Yin

Whichever passport you use is irrelevant.
No, you do not need a job offer.
Some companies will be as they will not see you as a long term investment. Notwithstanding, there are many thousands of such visas issued each year successfully.
There is no minimum/maximum term required for jobs while on a WHV.
You need to find an employer willing to apply for a LMO.

Thanks very much Auld Yin for taking the time to answer my questions, your advice has been extremely helpful!!! Thanks again!!!