The yellow pages of the telephone directory usually have a good list of recruiters. However my experience is that once a foreign sounding name or institution appears in a CV, it ends up in a database or in the dust bin, many times unacknowledged.Some immigrants have succeeded in finding employment using a strategy that they do not teach you at any employment service agencies. Try it, you have nothing to loose:

The strategy can be best labelled as " walking the streets and knocking on doors".

1) First research companies where you would like to work. Visit their website. Go to their reception and ask for a copy of their annual report etc. Find out the name/s of the person/s you would like to see.

2) Look at your own skills and see if you can solve any problem for them.

3) Tailor your CV/Covering letter accordingly.

4) Go to the reception again and ask to see the person you want to meet. As a reason tell them that you have come to know his name as an leader in the profession and would like to meet him for a minute.

5) If the interview is given, go in, if a seat is offered it politely, tell him or her your name and professional expertise in a short 10 seconds introduction and ask how you can be of help to their company. Offer free time to demonstrate your skill. If they do not need any help ask if he/she can give another contact who may be interested. Finally offer a copy of your CV/covering letter, thank for their time and leave, being proud that you have made a contact. If they do ask any questions, answer them. Always send a thank you note. Record the event somewhere, with a note of names, including the name of the receptionist, for future communication, if any.

5) If an interview is not given, ask if another time may be more convenient. If the answer is no, thank the receptionist, leave a copy of your CV/covering letter and leave. Do not be discouraged, may be they really cannot afford to hire another employee.

Hope it helps. If you get a job let the group know.

Kind regards,

Fuzail Siddiqui <siddiquf@yahoo.com> 

There is a directory of Canadian recuiters, called Canadian Directory of Search Companies, published by
Mediacorp(www.mediacorp2.com). It costs about $70.00. Before you spend that $70.00, check it out at your neighbourhood library. If you can't find it there, go Toronto Reference Library on Yonge Street (north of Bloor Street).

While the employment agency/recruiter is one of the resource for job search, but should not be totally
relied on. Not many employers use employment agencies to hire their staff, because of the 15 - 20% fee on the annual salary they charge for a placing person.

The following books and directories are highly recommeded of job search:

Canadian Directory of Careers - lists careers and the qualifications and the possible employers
Who is hiring - list employers who have hired in the last 90 - 100 days.
IT placement companies (I don't remember the exact name of this book).

You should be able to find this books and directories in your neighbourhood library or at the Toronto
Reference library.

Mr. Hassan if you need any help, please write to me at sabbas@canada.com, or call me at (416)284-4893 after 5 pm on week days.

Abbas