Dear Canadian desis,

It is really heartning to see this forum taking the \\\"next step\\\". This group has been a vital source of different perspectives and information. And most importantly it is a source of strength for me and I am sure for all those like me who found that they are not alone in this transition from home coutry to Canada.
I'd like to congratulate those who started this group, those who participate in it and those who are taking it further.

I also have a few thoughts to share and would like to get everyones views to develop these thoughts further.

While many members share their individual job search experiences, it is done on an individual basis. If we make job searching a collective process I am certain it will make a big difference.
If we form a volunteer group and compile a pool of skillsets and talents available within this group it will be quite a collection resumes. This group could act a a resource for all canadian desis who are fresh immigrants, those looking to change their jobs and those who just want to watchout for new opportunities in their feild.

We can compile all resumes based on different fields and career levels then to do collective job search and approach job recruiters with the pool of skills available with us as a group. \\\"It wil be like a volunteer placement group\\\". Together we can make a big difference and I am glad to offer my time and services as a volunteer.

We can meet as often as felt necessary and most of the work can can be coordinated online.

I am sure this will be a success. Lets us share more inputs, suggestions and offers for volunteering for this group.

Together we can make a big difference, despite the odds.

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What can be imagined, can be achieved.

Hi MI,

Sounds like a real good idea....But we need to define the parameters and skill set which can be used by the all members belonging to different fields. We need to create and update the system on a regular basis and not let it go like workopolis..wherein one of the member had expressed that those guys do not remove the advt. even after the job is filled....so..it is going to be a tough task. By doing this, we may be able create a small Data Bank which I sure every member can keep a reference to and may use whenever any opportunity comes through among any of us....

TO : Blue , Garvo Gujarati and Guju_Canadien

Maybe we just need to give it a serious thought and I am sure the senior members can suggest further on this....Can we expect reply from Senior Guys.....

To : MI : I am with you...Count me in...

regards

Amit Bakhshi

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Now, Not "Hardwork" but "Smartwork" is the Key to Success.

To : Vishal Grover

What do you think on this idea...We need your input...

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Now, Not "Hardwork" but "Smartwork" is the Key to Success.

The idea is really fantastic...but there can be implementation problems. Volunteers will have to be really dedicated and consistent in their endeavour! The commitment level of the core group should now wane over a period of time..that is my worry! But if it works....it can be a real blessing for the jittery people like me, landing for the first time in Canada!

Vishal

Thanks for you responses, I am waiting to see what the senior members and moderators have to say...

What I am suggesting is not very ambitious to start with...the last thing we should do is to make plans so big which cannot be implemented..
Lets plan baby steps in the beginning...every small step forward ...is a step forward..and then let see what direction it will be headed.

This is how I think we can get started -

1. First lets just collect resumes of members who are looking for jobs and even those looking for a change and better opportunities.
2. Then catagorize the database based on the feild of profession and specialization. The more resumes we will recieve the more catagories we can create in the database.
3. Then summarise each resume in a 2-3 line summary profile of each person's qualifications, skills and experience. This is something which volunteers could do. Or even get a summary from the person himself as they can summarize their own resume the best. This database of resume profiles will form the \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"crux\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" and a ready reference for everyone. Summarising and profiling of each resume is important because dealing with total contents of each resume can get too unwieldy and things can start falling apart. The goal is to keep it simple and effective.

Once we achive this....this itself will be quite an achievement and a great document to work off from. This database will need to be regularly updated and expanded as more and more resumes comein from members. All this work can be by volunteers and volunteers can be anywhere...Canada, India, anywhere in the subcontinent or world for that matter. As long as people are interested in moving to and starting a new life in Canada we will find ready and willing volunteers.
Those who are waiting for their visas could be great volunteers as well as this will give them a chance to get an insight into the jobsearch process in Canada even before coming here and also get the satisfaction of active community participation. It will be a fun thing to do...and I do not expect anyone other than those who are interested in settling in Canada to participate. Of all those who volunteer, each volunteer can take up and manage the resumes of thier own field, this way they can also learn about the job market in their feild or profession.

Once we have a good summarised database of resumes then comes the next BIG step of finding jobs.
This can be done on 3 fronts

1. Online search : Everyone can help in this. The more volunteers the better. Everyone does job search on the internet. Instead of just searching for oneself one can also search for others in their own feild. For example if I am a Mechanical Engineer and I see a job which does not suit my profile but if I know another mechanical engineer in the database whose profile it fits I'd alert him about it. And others can search for me. this is how we can\"Synergize\".
It will work bothways, searching together is better than searching alone. Now you may ask why should someone look for job for someone else...well, thats the spirit one should have before volunteering.....because others will look for jobs for them too.

2. Recruiting/placement agencies :
If we give this database to placement agencies and I am sure they would be more interested and receptive to our database than to getting individual resumes. Why ....because we will be doing the legwork for them beforehand by summarising and preparing a database. And in 3-4 pages they can look at profiles of 40-50 prople in different fields. The more content a recruiter get in fewer pages , the happier he/she feels.

3. Networking : Once people start getting placed thru our database we will start having our people in different companies and fields and the network will keep growing. Do not underestimate the power of networking....it works wonders!! We can also give it to well placed professionals form the subcontinent in different companies to look out for opportunities.

To start off I want to see what is the level of interest among members and those who are willing to participate and volunteer. You can even email me directly with comments and suggestions. I am sure it will be a good experience.

Something about myself....my real name is Samir and I am based in New York city, I also plan to come an settle in Canada in early 2004. My feild is building engineering and Project management, as a part of my work I do have some experience in recruiting. I recruited over 150 people for my project in Hongkong 6 years back.
\"It is true that good jobs are very scarce in Canada...we just have to work find a better way to find them\"

Well thats was my last contribution to this group for 2003.
Wish you all and your families a very happy and successful 2004.

Look forward to more posts in 2004.

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What can be imagined, can be achieved.

Hi All,
Actually enabling and helping people to get good jobs is one of the things that were discussed when a few of us met in Toronto a couple of weeks ago. We have also decided to make it one of the main points on the agenda for discussion on Jan 10th. We have already discussed some ideas (e.g forming subcommitees of people in certain fields to share their expertise and time helping others find meaningfull employment) when we met but hope that you, and anybody else who is interested, will attend the meeting on jan 10th to share your thoughts on the topic. Please register yourselves as soon as possible. Hoping to see you there!

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I just realised that most of you are probably not in the country right now. I'll send a note to GG & gang to check out this thread and maybe look into the feasability of including some of the suggestions mentioned here in our 'master plan'.

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