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Below is a list of some of the IT consulting companies that I recommend in the National Capital Region of Ottawa, Ontario Canada. Call them up and arrange for an information meeting, not an interview. You are going out to learn about their organization and the current state of the industry so that you can best position yourself to serve their needs. It's a lot easier to get an information meeting than an interview. Remember, they actually want to see you succeed because each time they place someone, they make money. Their outcome is in alignment with yours.

While names of contacts are included, these folks will likely refer you to the Technical Recruiter.

Nothing will make as much of a difference as impressing someone in person.

Be prepared by knowing your resources and using them well.

Michael

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TEKSYSTEMS CANADA

As far as consulting companies go, by far I have enjoyed doing business with them and Ajilon the most.

Chris Quinlan and Victoria Coons
TEKsystems Canada
1130 Morrison Drive, Suite 310
Ottawa, Ontario K2H 9N6
Tel: 613-726-3000
www.teksystems.ca

Note: In the past, I have known them to help consultants get their Government of Canada security clearance.

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MODIS CANADA (Formerly Ajilon Consulting)

I have been very impressed with Ajilon. I've worked on several contracts though them and they have always been very up-front and honest about everything. Like TEKsystems, Modis will pay you though direct deposit as often as once a week, depending on when you invoice them. Any week you invoice them by Friday noon, they pay you the following week on Friday. They are an ISO 9000 (or 9001) company and have very clear guidelines for conducting business.

The person I have deal with the most there is Kent Blackburn. Modis is always looking for resources in every area, but especially people who present themselves well, know their stuff, and are reliable. If you are interested, I would recommend you contact them to setup a meeting (very important).

Kent Blackburn
Modis Canada (Ottawa)
Suite 1206, 155 Queen Street
Ottawa, ON  K1P 6L1
Tel: 613-786-3106 X299
www.modis.com

Note: In the past, I have known them to help consultants get their Government of Canada security clearance.

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VERITAAQ

This is the company I started out with when I first started in IT.

Veritaaq
2327 St. Laurent Blvd., Suite 100
Ottawa, ON K1G 4J8
Tel: 613-736-6120
www.veritaaq.ca

In the past, I have known them to help consultants get their Government of Canada security clearance including myself.

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S.i. SYSTEMS

Although I haven't yet worked for them, they seem very descent. They email me inquiries every once in a while.

Marc Roy
Account Executive
S.i. Systems Ltd.
Tel: 613-786-3290 ext. 222
www.sisystems.com

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EXCEL ITR

I have yet to work through them myself but receive regular enquiries from them. I also have colleagues who have often partnered with EXCEL ITR in the past to bid on contracts. They all reports that they are a very decent company to work with.

Excel Information Technology Resources
102 Bank Street, 3rd Floor
Ottawa, ON K1P 5N4
Tel: 613-230-5393
www.excelitr.com

In the past, they have been known to help consultants get their Government of Canada security clearance.

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PROCOM

Though I have never worked for them, by far I get more inquiries from them than from any other consulting firm. Beyond that, I don't know much about them. It might be worth your time to meet with them and see what you can learn.

Procom
300 March Road, Suite 600
Kanata, ON K2K 2E2
Tel: 613-270-9339
www.procom.ca

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Additional Recommended Consulting Firms in Ottawa

The following consulting firms came highly recommended to me. Please evaluate for yourself:

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Andrew Robinson's Fridays

Andrew has been hosting an afterwork gathering every Friday starting around 4:30 PM until the last person leaves which is often around 6:30 or so. There is no set agenda so most people arrive and leave as their time permits. This can be a great networking opportunity.  Folks with all kinds of backgrounds (many but not all in IT) attend and the size and attendees of the group varies from one week to the next. There is no charge unless you want to order a drink or food of course.

If you are interested in stimulating conversation and would like to attend, give Andrew a call at 613-237-4151 or email him at andrewro@allstream.net to find out where this Friday's gathering will be. It is often at the RCAF Officers Mess but the location varies. It has also been known to be hosted at the Hys, Le Bop in Gatineau, the Hart and Crown and other locations.

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Kanata Kareer Group

The Kanata Kareer Group (KKG) is a self-help group for job seakers actively looking to rejoin the workforce. The KKG hold hold weekly meetings. They also have an online community of over seven hundred people. Most members have worked in the high tech industry, but many other professions are represented. There is no cost to join or attend meetings.

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Toastmasters International

At a Toastmasters meeting, you'll find people in just about every industry and in every position from the mail room to the president of companies. Some clubs in the Barrhaven and Kanata areas tend to have more members in IT related fields than other clubs. With the sheer number of clubs in Ottawa (over 200), you could be busy connecting with people for a long time. Be sure to get to the meetings early as they often have a social aspect before the meeting starts. Some clubs will only let you attend 2-3 meetings for free. The cost is very reasonable, often averaging out over the year to about $2 per week if you decide to join. Once a member, you will be welcome at almost any Toastmasters club in the world.

Toastmasters teaches people communication and leadership skills. Based on my experience, members of this organization are some of the nicest people around. They are often very helpful and it turns out to be a great way to develop relationships with many professionals out there on their way up the corporate ladder, or just interested in becoming better individuals. They have meetings in dozens of locations throughout the city, just about every day of the week.

Clubs I have enjoyed here in Ottawa area include the Pearson Toastmasters Club at DFAIT. They meet every Wednesday from Noon to 1 PM. Another excellent club is the Barrhaven Toastmasters Club (http://www.barrhaventoastmasters.ca/) who meet Wednesdays from 7 PM to 9 PM at the Southpointe Community Centre, 220 Stoneway Drive. Crystal Beach Toastmasters meet on Tuesdays in Crystal Beach area.

Visit the Toastmasters International website to find a club near you.

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Additional Job Search Resources

Here are some books that can help you in your job search. If you can't afford them, check them out at the public library.

  • Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port describes a great way to efficiently network that produces great results.
  • What Color is Your Parachute? (currently in its 2013 edition) by Richard N. Bolles has some excellent statistics on what job search strategies work and which are actually more like a game of chance a casino.
  • Yellow Pages -- Start with the first page of the book or look for a particular industry. Most medium and large businesses have IT staff even if that isn't their business. There are always people going off on maternity leave, changing jobs, being promoted, being fired or quitting for good and bad reasons. Regardless of the reason for the opening, it's an opportunity for you… but only if you step up and take control of your career. Once you know how to find a job and take action to make it happen, you will be able to find a job, often in 1-3 weeks.

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