A Dozen Cliched Questions (Apologies in Advance)...

[Carissa]

Hello to All...
I'm new to this forum... and one of the things I hate most is being a cliche -- but, I feel like I'm unfortunately out of options, so I'm about to lay out my information and implore, beg and plead with anyone here for advice. I know that's probably how everyone starts out with their first post, but it seems better to jump in with both feet.

I graduated Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo, Ontario) in 1998 with a four-year degree in Honors English & General Communications. Since 2000, I've been working at an independent cinema for an employer whose only pleasure in life is to humiliate and degrade me on a daily basis. He called me at home, at night, the day before Christmas to fire me. He's decided my 8 AM to 2:30 position isn't necessary (it is, he's just being who he is), and wants to hire someone to work noon to 7:30 instead. And while I'm welcome to apply for the job, there's little chance I'll get it. I've spent eight years as a Marketing/Promotions person; Office Assistant; Personal Assistant. I do payroll; public relations (tv/radio appearances); corporate bookings; office work; print traffic (have you ever had to locate a film can that's gone astray somewhere between Seattle and Toronto? It's not fun, but I've found it every time!); supply purchasing and, when necessary, manual labour or whatever else he dreams up. Unfortunately for me, none of these things are listed as employable qualities, in the eyes of the people who make the TN Visa requirements.

I've been seeing a guy in Los Angeles since August, 2008. I've been there with the specific purpose of visiting him on five occasions since we met, for no more than 3 or 4 days at a time. This relationship has no chance of working out if I continue to live 3,000 miles away. We are nowhere near the "let's get married to get you a green card" portion of our relationship, and frankly, I wouldn't want that anyway. Too much pressure. I'd rather go at this from the work standpoint.

I have vowed to find a legal way to live and work in Southern California before 2009 is up. I've wanted to move to L.A. for five years (I've visited forty times in four years, for 3-4 days at a time), and now, with the situation at my office, I am more determined than ever to make it work.

I'm 33 years old; born and bred in Canada. I feel like this is my last chance to do something cool with my life, and if not now, when? Economically, I couldn't have picked a worse time to live out my dreams. I realize this. What is the most logical way to start the process? I have put my resume online at HotJobs and Monster. Are there any keywords or skills or objectives that I should make sure I include with my resume, that will draw employers to it?

What is the best category for a TN Visa that I should try to make work in my favor?

Is my best bet to simply pick the TN Visa job that requires the least amount of time/education, go back to school, do it, and then apply? Of course that sounds like the most costly, time-consuming option, but I need to do something.

I spend hours a day searching for jobs, and I wonder - is it even worth applying to them? If I got the job, could I be hired, even if the job wasn't on the TN Visa list? The rest of my time is spent searching for cheap airfare to L.A., and watching the weather forecast because, living in the frozen tundra that is Ontario, if we get snow, the plane stays on the ground. I can't keep living this way and I'm having a hard time trying to stay calm and tell myself that there's a way to work this out, and I just haven't stumbled upon it yet.

I would appreciate any advice; encouragement; anything anyone can offer me. And for those of you living in Southern California -- if I actually make it there, I'm throwing the biggest dinner party with free alcohol, and inviting all of you!

[Reba]

Unfortunately if you do not currently have the university degree or equivalent work experience for one of the jobs listed on the NAFTA approved careers, there's not much chance for you to get a TN. And in this economy, as you already know, finding a job is difficult even for those of us already legally in the country. And California has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, making things even worse for your chances.