About Finding a job in Toronto Bay Street?

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ditto318

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Hi, Guys,

I am worried about the working enviroment in Bay street. People said it is
a very small world there, if you don't have strong networking relation, it will
be hard to find a job there. Even though you are good at skill and have
strong backgroud.

I got a lot of help from this forum when I prepared my CFA exams. Now, I am
a CFA chartered holder and currently work in Shanghai China, in a investment
banking. I am applying the immigration to Canada and hope can continuing my
career in finance. And yes I am Chinese.

I studied in Tonronto in 2000 to 2002 for my master degree. Then I came back to China,
don't have work experience there and only a few friends, I think you can have networking after entering the Bay Street small world. But before it, it is hard for you
to get it.

Any suggestions how to prepair to get a job there. I am on the immigration list. Since the Canadian government's work effectiveness is not good. I applied in March 2006 and I guess I can only get my Visa in about July 2008.
 
It is really hard to make it as a CFA in Toronto. There are Charterholders working in call centers. My number one piece of advice would be to brush up your English skills.
 
Are you sure? In Call center? I often thought that China is wasting a lot of
talents, maybe Toronto either.
 
CFA_Hali, I concur.

ditto318, I'd seriously reconsider moving to Toronto. The market here is absolutely INUNDATED with CFA's. Why Toronto anyway? Go to London, NY, Hong Kong, etc the world is your oyster.

I'd also start worrying about job prospects AFTER you have sorted out your immigration issues.

good luck.
 
brushing up on your english is crucial. the skills are assumed. lets face it, for most jobs(junior to mid level), what real skills do you need to have that cannot be easily acquired?
 
ditto:

I moved here in Toronto 2 and half years ago. I am originally from Japan.

It is true that finding job here is difficult, not only in finance industry, but any industry, for a new immigrant. It is especially true if you have no experience in Canada. Employers look for infamous "Canadian experience" on your resume, although they cannot say why the lack of it would be a problem. This is true anywhere in Canada, not just in Toronto. Do some research online. You will find those things.

As other guys said, also, CFA charterholders are saturated in Toronto. CFA Society here is the second biggest in the world, but the mkt is not that big. They always joke on charterholders driving cabs, at call centre, sweeping floors etc. (I also know, as a fact, some MDs cleaning up houses and engineers being door men.)

That being said, I do not necessarily discourage you to come here. But you have to be prepared for long job search period, starting up at lower level than you are now to prove yourself, and to be open-minded for job opportunities. You should also be willing to actively network. Chinese community is huge here, as you know, so somebody could help you. If you are interested in Doostang.com, let me know.

Also have a back up plan. Me, I am still L3 candidate and my current job is 2 year contract. When I am a charterholder and my contract is up, I might go for Canadian citizenship and then thanks to NAFTA accord, US job mkt is opening up for me. That is if I do not find anything else here by then.

Best of luck.
 
if your dead set on a career in IB dont bother with canada, we have alot of skilled immigrants who can only get jobs driving cabs.

Its a pretty brutal place to work even if you have canadian experience, the economy is small relative the amount of skilled workers in it so its very competitive to get the top jobs.
 
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