Finding job after PR

[satya10]

Superb responses to the wonderful Thread..

 

[kool_buddy]

I hope you people realize that there is a HUGE difference between stories, people, places they chose to live in, situations ...

I do have a lot of acquaintances, friends and also relatives in Canada.
Each of them found their way into Canadian system differently.

1. My uncle decided not to fight to get a position related to his education (chemistry engineering or something graduaded in moscow) - he immigrated with his family 15 years ago - he started working in a bakery almost immediately, worked few lame jobs for year and half and then started as a building supervisor which he is still working. But his english never got improved to the level he hoped for so he decided to stay in this job and fight to get as high in the hierarchy in this field. He is pretty well set at this moment.
2. My aunt started courses to defend her education - same chemistry engineering/ technology or whatever. It took her 3 years. she started working about 3 or 4 months after they got there, she worked in a chemistry company while she was studing as a simple laboratory clerk. After she got her diploma here she started as a head of quality control lab.
3. Friend - owned a store in here - started working some warehouse job pretty fast while his wife was studying for a teacher (which she was in my country) because he had to support her. Now he is managing some warehouse department (low management position) but still pretty well set.
4. His wife - studies 2 or 3 years to get her education straight. She was babysitting for this time. Now she did became a teacher again. they both started their canadian life at their mid 30s (above 35 for sure).
5. friend - went to Vancouver two years ago to a 2 year working programme or something like that. She said she was looking for a job for 6 months. 6 months!! And even when she applied for receptionist or any other kind of position not requiring too much from you she was not hired. Later she said, after few interviews telling her she was overqualified, she removed her PHD from her resume and found a job and was soon promoted because she indeed is very good at whatever she decided to work, I've known her since we went to USA work and travel programmes together. She applied to EE and is currently waiting for her VISA while her employer who is very satisfied with her work is helping her struggles and waiting for her to get her documents straight to hire her immediately after. She was lucky.

I only wrote you this so my point of view could be proved by real stories.
Everyone's story goes in a different direction - either luck, or more efforts, or more studies - it is up to you to chose it but the main point is if you are persistent you will manage to deal with it.

Now, the bad thing is many people think that when they go to Canada it will be a piece of cake and once they set their feet on the airport they will find a job in a week and start their dream life immediately.
Finding a job is no different in Canada or elsewhere I think .. you still have to prove yourself and have patience just like you did in your own country. Nobody is going to put you somewhere because of good will. And the faster people understand that the better for them.
And another thing is ... just because you were highly qualified in your country does not mean that you are the same in Canada. There might be a need for additional courses. There is nothing wrong in working a lesser job until you find your place. it is still income that you will need in those critical first 2 or 3 years. After all if you could grow in your country and prove yourself why wouldn't you do it in Canada too? The difference is now you are smarter than lets say 5 years ago.

Wish you all guys to find your place.

This is pretty much what we will hear from most and what's actually true. Different paths but very similar ones.

I studied and lived in Toronto/GTA from 2010 to 2012 with family friends and what I heard was very similar to these stories.

In short, I might not have got a job for various factors but I didn't even do a good job with the job search let alone try hard. I was jobless for almost 2 years.
I did have a survival job (at Tim Hortons), which I enjoyed a lot for around 8 months.

Prior to that I also worked at a gas station during the weekends while I was studying a one year graduate certificate program.

I am in India now and I am hoping to return this year or the next and rectify all the mistakes I made during my initial stint.

Once, one is all set in, he/she will say that, it was all worth it after all they fought for it!!

Also, if you are new to all this stuff, I recommend reading Asivad's post again and again!! Good luck!!

 

[MZASAM]

Great perspectives, experiences shared by forum members..

Well, I absolutely agree with the gloom/doom scenarios.

Asivad has shared the pros/cons, successes. failures, current global scenarios, impact on economies short and long term.

The risks / rewards are associated with all decisions. Without which we can't move on.

Irrespective of the individual NOC, s, white color, blue color, jobs in IT other sectors will not shut down.

The worst case scenario is slow down, and i'ts dynamic, not static.

How much we are geared up mentally to achieve the goals and objectives, depends on the individuals, efforts, hard work.

Majority of the human beings are striving in life to achieve their dreams.

Few are lucky and fortunate to get a job of their choice on time.

So lets all be determined, and face the situations as they unfold. Nobody can claim with absolute certainty the he / she will be successful with PR.

I know citizens in Canada who went with very modest and humble background.

They were qualified and experienced; still worked hard, never gave up. They are multimillionaires.

Lets all be optimistic, learn from experiences and march forward.

Thanks for your patience to read.

Lets all wish, hope for the best

 

[rreimao]

Couple considerations:

- If you are not an "attractive professional" (it means, with good experience, talent, etc) in your country, you probably won't be an attractive professional in Canada. If it's hard for you to find jobs in your area in your country, it will be the same in Canada.
- Remember that you're new in the country, you need to have something more than a regular canadian (with canadian experience) to be hired. To try to get as specialist as possible.. Do technical courses, etc.
- You may need to go one step back to later compensate it.. Let's say now you're a Senior Analyst in your country.. maybe you will start in Canada as Junior Analyst again, but if after couple months of work they realize you're good, you will be promoted as any other employee.

My personal experience:
- I went to canada without a job offer and with 3 years of experience in my country. After 1 month looking for jobs I go an offer in a company for a junior position (but in my area). After 3 months working they realized that I was performing more than a junior employee and promoted me.

Bottom line: Going to Canada will not be easy in the beginning , but it definitely worth it.

 

[nope]

Everyone on this thread is making the mistake of focusing only on the characteristics of the applicant. This is attractive, because it means that things are under the individual's control; it's also wrong, because some things are, and some things aren't. The Canadian labour market is very poor right now, and over the past few decades, it has been doing an increasingly bad job of assimilating immigrants. It's also doing a bad job of assimilating young Canadians. People correctly see that it is wrong to tell someone who is young "Work hard and prepare well, and you'll succeed," because though those are good things, they don't guarantee success; similarly, nothing guarantees success for immigrants. Some people land and experience little trouble; others land and experience heartache, tribulation, and shame. It is NOT known what the ratio of these is.

Personal stories are single data points, they don't mean much -- that said, here are some of the mistakes that I made.

- I lived for my first year in Victoria, where the job market is awful, and specialized jobs go to people with local qualifications. UVic and UBC are the sources for educated professionals (in my field) in Victoria. Why did I do that? Because I tricked myself into thinking that the thing that I wanted was the thing that was best for me. I should have gone to Alberta or Saskatchewan.

- I thought that once I landed, I could find a job anywhere in Canada, so why not live in Victoria? In the United States, this is normal. In Canada, job markets are local (for most professions), and people are less willing to look at applicants from far away. This is particularly true if you are overqualified -- and the first half-decent job immigrants get tends to be one they are overqualified for.

- I blamed myself for not being able to find a job. But sometimes, there are no jobs. How did I eventually settle? I got a job from a distance, in Montana, lived there for a year, and figured out how to move to Alberta. Do not underestimate the difficulty of moving, with a family, to a new place, where you don't have work. It's hard to rent, it's hard to do everything -- and if you choose the wrong place when you settle, you have to do it a second time, often with no guarantee of finding work where you are going. It is a huge gamble, that it's hard to pull the trigger on.

Before you come to Canada, you need to think about what you want. If you want to be a successful professional, and already are in your home country, then you are taking an immense gamble. Canada is full of successful professionals from other places who are not successful professionals here. One time the guy (an immigrant) I was buying a lottery ticket from in a convenience store made a joke about probabilities, we started talking; he has a master's degree in mathematics. "You should be teaching!" I told him. "Ah, not enough money!" he laughed. He owns his store, I'm sure he's doing well; but I wouldn't consider this doing well, I would consider it a failure.

For the first year I was here, I started off thinking of just being in Canada as a success. I was learning, I was fitting in. I would soon get a job. As time went on, I had to ask myself -- if I work in a grocery store for the rest of my life, is that a success? My answer was 'no' . . . I want an interesting life, with enough money to support my family. When I came to Canada, I had the first but not the second. My first year in Canada, I had neither. Now I do have both, and we just became citizens. It was worth it -- but when I look back, I can see how success was contingent upon many things, of which luck was a very important one.

'Professional' immigration is a funny thing. Huge numbers of Canadians are unable to find the jobs they want -- a country that can't provide for its own is going to struggle to provide for immigrants. Ask yourself "What do I have that I will succeed in Canada where Canadians themselves don't?" In the past, immigrants were poor, and survival was success. Most professionals aren't satisfied with that.

I'm writing this because there is nothing WRONG in the answers above -- but they fall too close to the 'work hard and you will succeed' genre for my liking. Lots of people work very hard, and don't; I've known some of them, and could have been one myself.

 

[Asivad Anac]

Everyone on this thread is making the mistake of focusing only on the characteristics of the applicant. This is attractive, because it means that things are under the individual's control; it's also wrong, because some things are, and some things aren't. The Canadian labour market is very poor right now, and over the past few decades, it has been doing an increasingly bad job of assimilating immigrants. It's also doing a bad job of assimilating young Canadians. People correctly see that it is wrong to tell someone who is young "Work hard and prepare well, and you'll succeed," because though those are good things, they don't guarantee success; similarly, nothing guarantees success for immigrants. Some people land and experience little trouble; others land and experience heartache, tribulation, and shame. It is NOT known what the ratio of these is.

Personal stories are single data points, they don't mean much -- that said, here are some of the mistakes that I made.

- I lived for my first year in Victoria, where the job market is awful, and specialized jobs go to people with local qualifications. UVic and UBC are the sources for educated professionals (in my field) in Victoria. Why did I do that? Because I tricked myself into thinking that the thing that I wanted was the thing that was best for me. I should have gone to Alberta or Saskatchewan.

- I thought that once I landed, I could find a job anywhere in Canada, so why not live in Victoria? In the United States, this is normal. In Canada, job markets are local (for most professions), and people are less willing to look at applicants from far away. This is particularly true if you are overqualified -- and the first half-decent job immigrants get tends to be one they are overqualified for.

- I blamed myself for not being able to find a job. But sometimes, there are no jobs. How did I eventually settle? I got a job from a distance, in Montana, lived there for a year, and figured out how to move to Alberta. Do not underestimate the difficulty of moving, with a family, to a new place, where you don't have work. It's hard to rent, it's hard to do everything -- and if you choose the wrong place when you settle, you have to do it a second time, often with no guarantee of finding work where you are going. It is a huge gamble, that it's hard to pull the trigger on.

Before you come to Canada, you need to think about what you want. If you want to be a successful professional, and already are in your home country, then you are taking an immense gamble. Canada is full of successful professionals from other places who are not successful professionals here. One time the guy (an immigrant) I was buying a lottery ticket from in a convenience store made a joke about probabilities, we started talking; he has a master's degree in mathematics. "You should be teaching!" I told him. "Ah, not enough money!" he laughed. He owns his store, I'm sure he's doing well; but I wouldn't consider this doing well, I would consider it a failure.

For the first year I was here, I started off thinking of just being in Canada as a success. I was learning, I was fitting in. I would soon get a job. As time went on, I had to ask myself -- if I work in a grocery store for the rest of my life, is that a success? My answer was 'no' . . . I want an interesting life, with enough money to support my family. When I came to Canada, I had the first but not the second. My first year in Canada, I had neither. Now I do have both, and we just became citizens. It was worth it -- but when I look back, I can see how success was contingent upon many things, of which luck was a very important one.

'Professional' immigration is a funny thing. Huge numbers of Canadians are unable to find the jobs they want -- a country that can't provide for its own is going to struggle to provide for immigrants. Ask yourself "What do I have that I will succeed in Canada where Canadians themselves don't?" In the past, immigrants were poor, and survival was success. Most professionals aren't satisfied with that.

I'm writing this because there is nothing WRONG in the answers above -- but they fall too close to the 'work hard and you will succeed' genre for my liking. Lots of people work very hard, and don't; I've known some of them, and could have been one myself.

Valid perspective.

Just that as a species, we've outcast 'luck' as an important attribute. We tend to look down upon the impact of fortuitous coincidences and 'right place, right time' moments in life but focus more on the things/events we can control. Which is important in a very fundamental sense. Most people have the tendency to blame all their success on 'things I did right' and all their failure on 'bad timing' or 'ill luck' or 'somebody else' - basically 'anybody but me'. This selective myopia is to blame for the common advice of 'Work hard and you will succeed'. That advice applies to a lot of people who would otherwise blame everything/one except themselves for the situations they find themselves in.

 

[mead]

There is another perspective. I have seen people who could have got a job if they tried hard but they started working in minimal jobs like gas station and got stuck. At a young age having money from the gas station job looks pretty attractive. They fall into the trap and never try to get out of the minimal jobs. Even if ur doing part time jobs always focus on finding full time in ur field jobs

 

[letstry]

Nice thread.. thanks for all the inputs with facts!!

 

[Asivad Anac]

Just reviving this thread because I replied to another member's PM with some information which I believe would be useful to others as well.

I'm in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. My landing was as smooth as could be. Waiting in the queues was longer than the actual time spent with the officers! Very welcoming and very professional. I was impressed. Took me all of 45 minutes to make it from disembarkation to the taxi stand (and that includes a frantic 5 minute search for my baggage which BA had 'helpfully' resettled near their counter!) after completing all the landing formalities. It can be as fast or as slow as you make it. As with anything else in immigration, you decide how the process will treat you. So be prepared with everything and be confident, professional and courteous in your interactions with the officers.

Key observations from personal experience so far

1. Landing

At landing, be confident and smile when you can. Don't be grumpy or tired or evasive when you answer questions. Answer all questions with a quick Yes or No and the smallest possible explanation. Avoid explanations unless specifically asked for. Do NOT attempt to be over friendly or engage in long random conversations at Passport control or Immigration or Customs even if the officer is from the same country/region as you are (that does NOT mean that you have to be non communicative though!). The officers will be helpful but some of them might just mistake your over friendliness as a sign of nervousness and probably ask you additional questions which wouldn't have popped up if you hadn't engaged in casual banter. Be extremely professional, polite and respectful while dealing with them. Once you are a PR, you can be as friendly and verbose as you want with everyone.

2. POF and cash

Carry enough cash/travel cards to survive for 6 months without a job - that will be roughly equal to your POF. Declare anything more than $10000 upfront. Do not make them catch you sneaking in funds. Once in Canada, open a bank account right away and put your money into a Checking account. Most immigrant friendly Canadian banks are not generous with banking transactions - avoid overusing your debit card and know everything about your banking rights before signing up with a bank. Scotiabank and CIBC are both very welcoming and I recommend them for fresh immigrants.

3. Food @ landing

Try and avoid bringing in edibles - Canada is strict with food imports. Most people bring in stuff all the time without any problems but you don't want to be the one who is stopped to have their baggage checked thereby delaying the landing process. it isn't a crime but it will make you nervous at landing and you don't want that. Declare all food items upfront on the B4 form. Most processed edibles and other food items are fine (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/information-for-consumers/travellers/what-can-i-bring-into-canada-/eng/1389648337546/1389648516990) but everything is available locally and there really is no need to fly in anything from outside unless it is your long dead great grandmother's last batch of marinara sauce whose recipe sleeps peacefully with her (you know what I mean!).

4. Documents @ landing

Passport(s), COPR(s), extra photographs, 2 copies of B4 form (for goods carried along with you), 2 copies of B4A form (if you have goods to follow), local Canadian address printed on plain paper and POF (in the form of cash/travel card/travelers cheques/recent Canadian or foreign bank statements/fixed deposit receipts) are enough for a smooth and safe landing for most immigrants and these should be in your hand baggage so that you have easy access to those when required. If you have any special circumstances (carrying a pet or importing your car, for instance), keep those documents on person as well.

5. Weather

Be prepared for cold weather if you are coming over anytime between November and April. Carry and wear some warm clothes and buy more locally when you arrive. Download the Weather app on your smartphone - the MOST important app for the first few weeks. It will help you know what to expect later in the day/week so that you can plan your time better.

6. First day/week in Canada

Focus on settling down first before going job hunting. Getting a SIN, bank account, mobile connection, Internet/broadband, driver license, buying a car, finding a place to live, groceries and essentials are more important in the first few weeks/month. Job hunting can be done on the Internet simultaneously or it can wait for a while. Walk into Services Canada at the first available opportunity and they will help you with how to get some of the other stuff done (if you ask them nicely and if they aren't busy).

7. Initial expenses

Things will feel expensive especially as you probably aren't earning and because you wouldn't know the best bargains in your neighborhood so be prepared to feel financially insecure for the first few months. The larger your family, the more you will spend. Spend wisely but don't skimp on essentials. Warm clothes, nutritious meals, healthcare aren't luxury, they are essentials. Some provinces don't provide health insurance from Day 1. Invest in a health insurance plan before you arrive (if possible) or buy one immediately afterwards - get something that covers you for 90 days and includes travel insurance as well (if you're getting this done before landing in Canada). Ask recommendations to good realtors - they would typically charge the owner (not you!) so you can have someone doing home hunting on your behalf and you might not have to pay them anything at all.

8. Networking

Start networking within your own regional/national/religious/familial community - they would help a lot upfront. Don't restrict yourself to those people/groups but start with those and then expand your personal and professional network. Improve your language skills, look out for provincial organizations who can help you for free. Get on LinkedIn if you aren't there already. Customize your resume to Canadian styles - there are formats available online. Get a local phone number and put it in there. Anglicize your name on the resume if your native name sounds too exotic - unfortunately that's the first thing that gets judged and your resume will be binned before they've finished reading your long surname. This doesn't mean that you invent a new name for yourself as that's misrepresentation but do consider some possibilities of somehow making your ethinc or geographical identity less conspicuous during the first glance at your resume. Canadian employers are required, by law, to NOT discriminate on the basis of identity but it happens all the time. There are job sites all over the place - apply wherever you think you have a fighting chance. Don't expect responses in hours/days, it typically takes weeks/months to get a response, if at all.

9. Right job MYTH

Don't wait indefinitely for the right job - they don't exist for fresh immigrants. Accept any job connected to your NOC or area of interest and don't mind the pay/position for your 1st job. It is better having that job for now than feeling suicidal after 6 months of job hunt looking for the right job and burning all your cash. I strongly advise NOT to take survival jobs at gas stations or fast food outlets but do it only if there is no other option. Accept any job in the ballpark of your NOC even if it means that you drop 1-2 levels below compared to your last job. Swallow your pride for now. If you work hard (which you will considering you're a fresh immigrant in a foreign country), let the results speak for themselves and negotiate for a better position 6-12 months down the line.

10. Get used to rejections

Always remember that immigration was your personal decision and, technically, the country owes you nothing beyond allowing you to come in and make a life here. They will still help you wherever possible but don't take them for granted. Be grateful for any support you receive from them but be prepared for rejections and disappointments. If you've ever worked in Sales, you'll know the feeling of living with a 1% success rate all the time. Most salespeople in the World have 99 disappointments for every 1 sale that goes through and that's a hard life but that 1 success more than makes up for all the disappointments and gradually one gets better at improving their success rate as well. That's the general idea with immigration as well. Get used to it.


The economy isn't great right now. Unemployment rates are lower in Ontario and BC (compared to the national average) but all other provinces have challenges especially in the bigger cities which attract most immigrants. Explore smaller cities - Canada is much more than just GTA, Vancouver and Montreal. Most professional jobs would involve higher levels of competition so be prepared for early rejections. Also be prepared to not have it easy if you don't have any Canadian work experience. Be prepared to feel frustrated, depressed and morose after the early euphoria of having finally made it to Canada.

Bottom line, be prepared for rejection. A lot of it. Till you find your place to shine. Which you will. Always remember that you made it this far and there is no reason you won't make it further. The only person holding you back? Look in the mirror.


All the best!

 

[CanadaWeCome]

Bottom line, be prepared for rejection. A lot of it. Till you find your place to shine. Which you will. Always remember that you made it this far and there is no reason you won't make it further. The only person holding you back? Look in the mirror.


All the best!

Great writeup +1

 

[Aragorn165]

Just reviving this thread because I replied to another member's PM with some information which I believe would be useful to others as well.

I'm in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. My landing was as smooth as could be. Waiting in the queues was longer than the actual time spent with the officers! Very welcoming and very professional. I was impressed. Took me all of 45 minutes to make it from disembarkation to the taxi stand (and that includes a frantic 5 minute search for my baggage which BA had 'helpfully' resettled near their counter!) after completing all the landing formalities. It can be as fast or as slow as you make it. As with anything else in immigration, you decide how the process will treat you. So be prepared with everything and be confident, professional and courteous in your interactions with the officers.

Key observations from personal experience so far

1. Landing

At landing, be confident and smile when you can. Don't be grumpy or tired or evasive when you answer questions. Answer all questions with a quick Yes or No and the smallest possible explanation. Avoid explanations unless specifically asked for. Do NOT attempt to be over friendly or engage in long random conversations at Passport control or Immigration or Customs even if the officer is from the same country/region as you are (that does NOT mean that you have to be non communicative though!). The officers will be helpful but some of them might just mistake your over friendliness as a sign of nervousness and probably ask you additional questions which wouldn't have popped up if you hadn't engaged in casual banter. Be extremely professional, polite and respectful while dealing with them. Once you are a PR, you can be as friendly and verbose as you want with everyone.

2. POF and cash

Carry enough cash/travel cards to survive for 6 months without a job - that will be roughly equal to your POF. Declare anything more than $10000 upfront. Do not make them catch you sneaking in funds. Once in Canada, open a bank account right away and put your money into a Checking account. Most immigrant friendly Canadian banks are not generous with banking transactions - avoid overusing your debit card and know everything about your banking rights before signing up with a bank. Scotiabank and CIBC are both very welcoming and I recommend them for fresh immigrants.

3. Food @ landing

Try and avoid bringing in edibles - Canada is strict with food imports. Most people bring in stuff all the time without any problems but you don't want to be the one who is stopped to have their baggage checked thereby delaying the landing process. it isn't a crime but it will make you nervous at landing and you don't want that. Declare all food items upfront on the B4 form. Most processed edibles and other food items are fine (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/information-for-consumers/travellers/what-can-i-bring-into-canada-/eng/1389648337546/1389648516990) but everything is available locally and there really is no need to fly in anything from outside unless it is your long dead great grandmother's last batch of marinara sauce whose recipe sleeps peacefully with her (you know what I mean!).

4. Documents @ landing

Passport(s), COPR(s), extra photographs, 2 copies of B4 form (for goods carried along with you), 2 copies of B4A form (if you have goods to follow), local Canadian address printed on plain paper and POF (in the form of cash/travel card/travelers cheques/recent Canadian or foreign bank statements/fixed deposit receipts) are enough for a smooth and safe landing for most immigrants and these should be in your hand baggage so that you have easy access to those when required. If you have any special circumstances (carrying a pet or importing your car, for instance), keep those documents on person as well.

5. Weather

Be prepared for cold weather if you are coming over anytime between November and April. Carry and wear some warm clothes and buy more locally when you arrive. Download the Weather app on your smartphone - the MOST important app for the first few weeks. It will help you know what to expect later in the day/week so that you can plan your time better.

6. First day/week in Canada

Focus on settling down first before going job hunting. Getting a SIN, bank account, mobile connection, Internet/broadband, driver license, buying a car, finding a place to live, groceries and essentials are more important in the first few weeks/month. Job hunting can be done on the Internet simultaneously or it can wait for a while. Walk into Services Canada at the first available opportunity and they will help you with how to get some of the other stuff done (if you ask them nicely and if they aren't busy).

7. Initial expenses

Things will feel expensive especially as you probably aren't earning and because you wouldn't know the best bargains in your neighborhood so be prepared to feel financially insecure for the first few months. The larger your family, the more you will spend. Spend wisely but don't skimp on essentials. Warm clothes, nutritious meals, healthcare aren't luxury, they are essentials. Some provinces don't provide health insurance from Day 1. Invest in a health insurance plan before you arrive (if possible) or buy one immediately afterwards - get something that covers you for 90 days and includes travel insurance as well (if you're getting this done before landing in Canada). Ask recommendations to good realtors - they would typically charge the owner (not you!) so you can have someone doing home hunting on your behalf and you might not have to pay them anything at all.

8. Networking

Start networking within your own regional/national/religious/familial community - they would help a lot upfront. Don't restrict yourself to those people/groups but start with those and then expand your personal and professional network. Improve your language skills, look out for provincial organizations who can help you for free. Get on LinkedIn if you aren't there already. Customize your resume to Canadian styles - there are formats available online. Get a local phone number and put it in there. Anglicize your name on the resume if your native name sounds too exotic - unfortunately that's the first thing that gets judged and your resume will be binned before they've finished reading your long surname. This doesn't mean that you invent a new name for yourself as that's misrepresentation but do consider some possibilities of somehow making your ethinc or geographical identity less conspicuous during the first glance at your resume. Canadian employers are required, by law, to NOT discriminate on the basis of identity but it happens all the time. There are job sites all over the place - apply wherever you think you have a fighting chance. Don't expect responses in hours/days, it typically takes weeks/months to get a response, if at all.

9. Right job MYTH

Don't wait indefinitely for the right job - they don't exist for fresh immigrants. Accept any job connected to your NOC or area of interest and don't mind the pay/position for your 1st job. It is better having that job for now than feeling suicidal after 6 months of job hunt looking for the right job and burning all your cash. I strongly advise NOT to take survival jobs at gas stations or fast food outlets but do it only if there is no other option. Accept any job in the ballpark of your NOC even if it means that you drop 1-2 levels below compared to your last job. Swallow your pride for now. If you work hard (which you will considering you're a fresh immigrant in a foreign country), let the results speak for themselves and negotiate for a better position 6-12 months down the line.

10. Get used to rejections

Always remember that immigration was your personal decision and, technically, the country owes you nothing beyond allowing you to come in and make a life here. They will still help you wherever possible but don't take them for granted. Be grateful for any support you receive from them but be prepared for rejections and disappointments. If you've ever worked in Sales, you'll know the feeling of living with a 1% success rate all the time. Most salespeople in the World have 99 disappointments for every 1 sale that goes through and that's a hard life but that 1 success more than makes up for all the disappointments and gradually one gets better at improving their success rate as well. That's the general idea with immigration as well. Get used to it.


The economy isn't great right now. Unemployment rates are lower in Ontario and BC (compared to the national average) but all other provinces have challenges especially in the bigger cities which attract most immigrants. Explore smaller cities - Canada is much more than just GTA, Vancouver and Montreal. Most professional jobs would involve higher levels of competition so be prepared for early rejections. Also be prepared to not have it easy if you don't have any Canadian work experience. Be prepared to feel frustrated, depressed and morose after the early euphoria of having finally made it to Canada.

Bottom line, be prepared for rejection. A lot of it. Till you find your place to shine. Which you will. Always remember that you made it this far and there is no reason you won't make it further. The only person holding you back? Look in the mirror.


All the best!

This is an extremely great writeup! Thank you for taking the time out to write it!
I have one question, it pertains to this section in particular:

Anglicize your name on the resume if your native name sounds too exotic - unfortunately that's the first thing that gets judged and your resume will be binned before they've finished reading your long surname. This doesn't mean that you invent a new name for yourself as that's misrepresentation but do consider some possibilities of somehow making your ethinc or geographical identity less conspicuous during the first glance at your resume. Canadian employers are required, by law, to NOT discriminate on the basis of identity but it happens all the time. There are job sites all over the place - apply wherever you think you have a fighting chance. Don't expect responses in hours/days, it typically takes weeks/months to get a response, if at all.

I am curious, what does this mean? How does one anglicize their name without changing it to something else (which you said would be misrepresentation)? Does one do it on just their resume, or also on their LinkedIn profile, too?
Any answers would be appreciated. Thanks once again, and I hope Canada suits you well

 

[Hansdza]

I think it means you need to change the writing of your name so native english speakers can pronounce it correctly. Not changing your entire name.

This is interesting.. because people will laugh at me if I "anglicize" my name. Like literally, it won't sound good at all. Any idea?

 

[Aragorn165]

I think it means you need to change the writing of your name so native english speakers can pronounce it correctly. Not changing your entire name.

This is interesting.. because people will laugh at me if I "anglicize" my name. Like literally, it won't sound good at all. Any idea?

That's the problem with my name too. It sounds like nothing.
How do you change the writing but not change the name? I am, honestly, a bit confused! My name sounds exotic no matter where in the world I go (including my own country!) so I'm just hoping for some advice on this matter myself.

 

[Asivad Anac]

That's the problem with my name too. It sounds like nothing.
How do you change the writing but not change the name? I am, honestly, a bit confused! My name sounds exotic no matter where in the world I go (including my own country!) so I'm just hoping for some advice on this matter myself.

If you can't , you can't. For others, one idea is to probably reduce some part(s) of their unpronounceable ethnic names to just initials on their resume and LinkedIn profile. But that's just to get a foot in the door - payroll guys would still need the actual name.

 

[Aragorn165]

If you can't , you can't. For others, one idea is to probably reduce some part(s) of their unpronounceable ethnic names to just initials on their resume and LinkedIn profile. But that's just to get a foot in the door - payroll guys would still need the actual name.

Ah well, looks like I've no choice but to stick with the name I got then