if getting to 2-3x pay by converting the USD->CAD then you have to convert the COL into CAD and it's much lower in Canada than the US. If you don't convert either then it's maybe just slightly cheaper in US, though in the markets where 2x non-converted comp exists, the COL is still probably higher.
Ask HN: How Does a Canadian SWE/Data Scientist Make a Move to the US?
11–20 of 39 posts
Re: Ask HN: How Does a Canadian SWE/Data Scientist Make a Move to the US?
#12Best of luck. Even applying from within the US to Data Scientist roles takes quite a while to get through. At least compared to a few years ago organizations are providing rejections rather than simply ghosting.
Re: Ask HN: How Does a Canadian SWE/Data Scientist Make a Move to the US?
#13It sounds like a VISA problem for the tier II or smaller companies. If you focus on the bigger tier I companies, you are getting interviews so your resume works. You are failing the interview/coding test. Do you have insight into which? Are you getting second interviews? Does the process stop after the coding test?
Quick note on visas -- if you are eligible for a TN or O1 visa, then I've seen employees/candidates in Canada foot the bill and run the process themselves rather than ask the employer to do it. This is 100% doable and often helps HR departments (who have no idea what this process is, especially in smaller companies) deal with many objections.
Any particular strategies for making them aware of this? I find that if I submit a job application online, I will say I require a VISA (a TN in my case) and that produces less positive outcomes usually. So I've started to say I don't require a Visa which even if it leads to a conversation with HR, and I clarify my situation ends up resulting in an immediate rejection anyway.
Re: Ask HN: How Does a Canadian SWE/Data Scientist Make a Move to the US?
#14> Despite what the media wants you to think, Canada is not a good place to grow in IT and Software and ML.
There's more to life than money, friend. Cost of living is not the only metric for quality of life. Safety, unity, sanity, these are all things Canadian cities have over the majority of American cities.
I hope the increase in pay is worth it to you. For some of us, this is more than just a place to live and "grow in IT", it's a place we come from and build our lives in. From this perspective, your words are denigrating; no matter, those who seek their fortune down south are seldom missed for long.
Re: Ask HN: How Does a Canadian SWE/Data Scientist Make a Move to the US?
#15if getting to 2-3x pay by converting the USD->CAD then you have to convert the COL into CAD and it's much lower in Canada than the US. If you don't convert either then it's maybe just slightly cheaper in US, though in the markets where 2x non-converted comp exists, the COL is still probably higher.
You get 2-3x the pay without converting. The median salary for a senior in Toronto and Van right now is around 150-170 TC, and that is generally the type of salary you're getting from the FAANGS here. Some might push above 200k, but you need to be exceptional and do very well in the interview. There is a reason Canada's top grads leave to the US right away.
The CoL is lower in America. It might be comparable if you try to buy a house in Manhattan or the bay area, but the suburbs are good options and the commutes are no worse than GTA to Downtown or GVA to Downtown Van. There is a 46% premium on housing between Canada and the USA, adjusted for exchange. Also every day life can be generally cheaper (groceries, gas which is about half the cost, cell phone and internet service etc.).
The big differentiator between Canada and the US is social. Our socialized healthcare is subpar to the type of healthcare you get through the private plans you'll get working at big tech companies. Wait time are long, and governments don't pay for the most up to date procedures. I'm speaking first hand. Schools are the other big thing. Where you live in the US really determines the quality of education your kids receive, but if you're getting paid FAANG salaries you're fine.
Anyway, again, as my note mentioned, I'm not here to discuss the merits of the Canadian tech market. I only posted this to dispel the notion that the US is worse. It's not, and the supposed benefits in Canada objectively are not there. Subjectively they might be. Everyone is welcome to their opinion.
Re: Ask HN: How Does a Canadian SWE/Data Scientist Make a Move to the US?
#16I've worked with a lot of folks who have made the move from Canada to the US in the middle part of their careers. Knowing nothing else about your situation, there are two things they did that might be relevant to you: 1. Really specific area of expertise that was needed by whoever was hiring them. "IT, software, ML" is very broad, but if you have a keen interest in data engineering for computer vision (random example…
Thank you this is the exact kind of information I'm looking for. Can I PM you?
Re: Ask HN: How Does a Canadian SWE/Data Scientist Make a Move to the US?
#17Earlier quoted context omitted.
Quick note on visas -- if you are eligible for a TN or O1 visa, then I've seen employees/candidates in Canada foot the bill and run the process themselves rather than ask the employer to do it. This is 100% doable and often helps HR departments (who have no idea what this process is, especially in smaller companies) deal with many objections.
Any particular strategies for making them aware of this? I find that if I submit a job application online, I will say I require a VISA (a TN in my case) and that produces less positive outcomes usually. So I've started to say I don't require a Visa which even if it leads to a conversation with HR, and I clarify my situation ends up resulting in an immediate rejection anyway.
Really big thought/strategy: try to avoid talking to HR, and find the hiring manager instead.
HR is a filter for applicants. They want to make the process easy and low-risk for the company, which is a critical part of the role... But the hiring manager needs to want you badly, to hire you... If the hiring manager is saying, "Hire rafiki6 at any cost, JUST DO IT" then HR will help you.
... but HR teams rarely go out of their way to promote a candidate aggressively to a hiring manager.
Re: Ask HN: How Does a Canadian SWE/Data Scientist Make a Move to the US?
#18I've worked with a lot of folks who have made the move from Canada to the US in the middle part of their careers. Knowing nothing else about your situation, there are two things they did that might be relevant to you: 1. Really specific area of expertise that was needed by whoever was hiring them. "IT, software, ML" is very broad, but if you have a keen interest in data engineering for computer vision (random example…
Thank you this is the exact kind of information I'm looking for. Can I PM you?
My pleasure!!
Yup, or email us at hello@phaseai.com
Re: Ask HN: How Does a Canadian SWE/Data Scientist Make a Move to the US?
#19Best of luck. Even applying from within the US to Data Scientist roles takes quite a while to get through. At least compared to a few years ago organizations are providing rejections rather than simply ghosting.
Yes, I think the DS market in general got hit since it's a nice to have for most companies, or most companies have no idea what their DS groups do anyway and were just jumping in on the hype. Also there is a glut of talent from bootcamps and cert programs because every newspaper posted an article in the last 5-10 years about how Data Science is the hot new career where you get a six figure salary for showing up. This industry is going through it's growing pains and I'm finding a lot of DS positions are slowly transforming into ML Engineering, Data Engineering, or Analyst roles, especially as ML gets more commoditized with higher level frameworks like HuggingFace coming about. I think I've narrowed my search towards ML engineering.
Re: Ask HN: How Does a Canadian SWE/Data Scientist Make a Move to the US?
#20Earlier quoted context omitted.
Any particular strategies for making them aware of this? I find that if I submit a job application online, I will say I require a VISA (a TN in my case) and that produces less positive outcomes usually. So I've started to say I don't require a Visa which even if it leads to a conversation with HR, and I clarify my situation ends up resulting in an immediate rejection anyway.
Really big thought/strategy: try to avoid talking to HR, and find the hiring manager instead. HR is a filter for applicants. They want to make the process easy and low-risk for the company, which is a critical part of the role... But the hiring manager needs to want you badly, to hire you... If the hiring manager is saying, "Hire rafiki6 at any cost, JUST DO IT" then HR will help you. ... but HR teams rarely go out o…
I do when I can. It's not easy to find the hiring manager for every role posted unless the hiring manager promotes the role themselves.