How To Get a Caregiver Job
January 8, 2009
Welcome! Please subscribe to my RSS feed. (or drop your email address in the box to the right :) Thanks for visiting!
How To Get a Caregiver Job
Caregiver job is probably the most prominent among any other jobs available for Filipino workers. A common entry to obtain an open permit after completing the two of three years provision set by Immigration Canada for live-in caregivers.
The most common way to work in Canada is through the live-in caregiver program. Overseas Filipino Workers from Hongkong, Israel and other parts of Asia find it easy to get a visa to work in Canada. However, direct workers from the Philippines take ages to wait before a visa is granted so they usually apply as OFW to many Asian countries and later acquire a permit to work in Canada.
What are the usual way to get a Caregiver job either International or Local?
Many Filipino who work for many years in Canada with a landed status may sponsor their family members and relatives from the Philippines. The cheapest and fastest way to help a family member or anybody is through direct hiring either by the person himself/herself or by recommendation to an employer who is willing to sponsor a caregiver from overseas.
Another option is through agencies. For international and local applicants, they should be well aware that most agencies require huge amounts of placement fees which are truly heavy in the pocket and that is true whether you apply internationally or locally. The bitter part is, most of us are fooled by this agencies but because of our determination to earn dollar, we do everything we could until the last cent we have or even bury with lots of debt and yet the assurance to get the job is indefinite. The issue on release upon-arrival should be given attention so as to avoid it, our initiative to at least be extra careful when dealing with those agencies should be encouraged.
Network and Socialize
It is easy to find a job when you are in Canada. Meeting and socializing with other people offer a great chance to know and get a good connection with them. If possible, ask for their contact numbers courteously and keep them for future use. YMCA (world wide and local) offers many services.Don’t forget your local ethnic community groups, social groups and church groups. These can offer some valuable connections.  Networking and connecting with people even if you don’t need a job right at the moment will go a long way for potential future opportunities.
Internet Tools
And, probably the most accessible method of all is through the internet. The internet is like a huge library where you can find anything you want. Many agencies or people post their ads for a certain job for you to choose from. Try Craigslist, KIJIJI.com or Kijiji.ca (Canada) But again, be careful when dealing with anyone online. No on should charge you a fee – collecting recruitment fee is illegal in Canada. The most important thing you should remember is NOT to make any transaction over the phone or email when money is involved. Apply personally to the agency and you have the right to ask for their business permit before doing any transaction with them.
Good luck!
Contributed by: WT
Hi! My Name is Jenny
January 1, 2009
Have you ever seen a movie scene where the person says “hi my name is Mary and I am an alcoholic”? It’s the usual introduction a person makes when they enter a rehab or in this case alcoholic anonymous.
Hi my name is Jenny, I am been deceived.
It all started when I came to this country to work as a caregiver in 2003. My hopes were high and my dreams were endless. I wanted to do well, and become a permanent resident so I can bring my husband and 5 years old daughter and finally be able to raise her – or get to know her. I left my home land in 1999 in pursuit of the mighty dollar, although you can hardly compare the Hongkong dollar to Can or US dollars. She was barely a few months old when I left her in the hands of my mother-in-law to go abroad. I guess my loneliness and longing for her will be another story to tell some other day.
After paying a lot of money to an agency, I arrived here in April 2003. My supposedly employer “disappeared” when I arrived. Luckily, a friend I’ve met in Hongkong who arrived here earlier had a place for me to stay until I found another employer.  I was lucky enough to find an employer after two weeks. I’ve met people who have been here for over a year and haven’t found an employer, and are out of money. So I considered myself lucky when I got the employment.
Caring for 3 kids under 10, cooking and maintaining the cleanliness of a 2000 square foot home is not the problem. I’ve gotten use to it from Hongkong. I even don’t mind not being paid for my overtime. But what i consider deceptive is when I was told before being hired that I will have my own quarter. Where I can hide my loneliness, nurse my pain and rest my aching body. My “quarter” is shared with two germans. Not German gentlemen but German Sheppard dogs.
I know you are probably thinking – why tolerate it?
Well, you see, I can’t complain, I don’t want to jeopardize my employment. It’s not easy to find an employer. So until I found one-i am stuck in this situation.
But this is nothing in comparison to what I am about to tell you. My third deception.
When I arrived here, I also met a wonderful man (and so i thought). He works in real estate, drives a nice car
and seem to have enough money for everything. I could see my dreams becoming a reality. Oh yes, I am married. But being away from my husband for over 5 years created some unpleasant consequences (another story). Suffice it say, he got lonely, but I can hardly blame him. What can a man do without a
women for that long. However, I also knew we will make it all well when I get my residence and bring them both here – leaving his girlfriend behind. This futuristic dream sustained me for a while. Until I met Leo.
Here in this lonely country, I found someone whom I can share my deepest thoughts, my fear, and my dreams. He is very sensitive and can understand everything I tell him. Being with him is like reading a romance novel. He showered me with flowers, jewelry and dined me in the finest restaurants. We met once a week at his condo, made love most of time and then he would take me out. He even gave me a ring. No, not an engagement ring but almost. He told me that the ring symbolize his love for me and will be replace by a bigger ring as soon as he closes some bigger deals. That’s when I knew he was the man for me. Well, I thought i knew.
Then my employers went on vacation and gave me my first full weekend off in 6 months. I called Leo to
tell him that we will blissfully spend the whole weekend together, but he could not be reach. I thought maybe he was ill or something so i went to his apartment. His apartment was locked and when I inquired to the condo’s front desk, I was told that Leo had sold the condo and moved out. I called his cell phone but the person who answered it insisted I got the wrong number. I asked this person how long has he had this number, and he said two weeks. I can only assumed Leo changed cell phone.
I could easily say “bummer”, cry, wipe my tears and move on. But it’s more complicated than that. This
third deception is the ultimate, one that involves a life. A life in my belly.
Hi my name is jenny, I’ve been deceived.
Editor’s note: If you have a story to tell, send us an e-mail at admin@caregiversonline.org
It’s confidential and you may write anonymously if you wish.
caregivers – Google NewsSponsors
