My settlement experience

[AlieninVancouver]

hi everyone my names Chris I moved from Australia to Canada and landed in October 2017, so been here 3 months just wanted to give my experiences for everyone who's considering moving here. Everyone's experiences are different however and this is just mine.

I flew into Toronto arriving in the morning the landing process was quite straight forward asked a few questions got me to sign the copr in a couple of places gave me a form and information to fill in my address at a later stage as I didn't have a address yet. I then got a sin number at the airport to allow me to work and then I left. I checked into my accomodation and opened a bank account the same day most banks have new comers to Canada packages so ask for one of these. Most of the banks are fairly similar but always ask and go to a couple to see what's best for your circumstances.

I then stayed in Toronto for a few weeks registered with a couple of agencies in a policy officer/analyst by trade. I have yet to had an interview through these agencies and I registered in October. I then moved to Ottawa to try my luck there I have applied for about 200 jobs so far 2-3 calls.

I then started applying for survival jobs I even had one call centre tell me after an interview my accent would make it to hard for people to understand me so was rejected on this basis . First time as a white Australian I've ever been racially discriminated against.

After analaysing my options I'm heading home to Australia in a couple of weeks after being unable to secure anything reasonable I just work a minimum wage job.

Just a few things to consider for everyone it is fairly closed shop here they mostly like to hire locals and people with local degrees and experience. Only country I have ever been racially discriminated against to. The transport systems are average compared to most developed countries and the health system is ok but still ranked 11/13 of developed countries in the world just below USA and France and wages are much lower than where I'm from.

This is just my experiences which I want to share everyone's are differnt and I hope much more enjoyable these are just things to consider when you are thinking of migrating to Canada.

Thanks for sharing your experience, I hope more people will continue to post to allow people and opportunity to learn. Like you said, you gave it your best shot, and at least now you don't have to wondering what could have been.

All the very best back at home.

-PK

 

[StevieFray]

I then started applying for survival jobs I even had one call centre tell me after an interview my accent would make it to hard for people to understand me so was rejected on this basis . First time as a white Australian I've ever been racially discriminated against.

Oh man, that sucks to hear about your experience .

I'm surprised you feel like your accent would have been hard to understand. Australian and british accents are always played on the IELTS Listening exam.

I guess different strokes for different folks but in my opinion, I'm willing to adapt because Canada will be my new home (taking the good, bad, and ugly along with that). Keep in mind you're coming from a 1st world country to a next 1st world country so some expectations may be even higher in your case. For me, I have a 1st world mentality but came from a 3rd world country so the opportunities that I view are practically endless in my situation.

 

[jammin24]

Hey yeah I did there similar job descriptions and roles and responsibilities some private sector work but mostly at alll levels of government. There's also no required industry accreditation or qualification necessary to work in Canada in this job.

I find this whole local experience thing ridiculous. I mean, come on, Canada is the most generic western country in the world. Not like it's China or Burkino Faso or something. They're just insecure about being in the U.S.'s shadow want to act like they're unique and different. Canadian employers need to get over themselves and realize that their primitive businesses are crying out for some international perspective and experience. I've lived in eight countries and this is the first country where international experience is seen as a negative. Like I said, ridiculous!

 

[steaky]

I find this whole local experience thing ridiculous. I mean, come on, Canada is the most generic western country in the world. Not like it's China or Burkino Faso or something. They're just insecure about being in the U.S.'s shadow want to act like they're unique and different. Canadian employers need to get over themselves and realize that their primitive businesses are crying out for some international perspective and experience. I've lived in eight countries and this is the first country where international experience is seen as a negative. Like I said, ridiculous!

What's makes you feel Canadians are not insecure about being in the US shadow?

 

[jammin24]

I didn't say they're not insecure, I said they ARE. A lot of Canadians go out of their way to make sure they're recognized as Canadians, not Americans, and to point how how different they are. Not saying that in itself is a bad thing. But requiring local experience in a country that's probably one of the easiest in the world to get to know and become accustomed to, where there aren't any language barriers or cultural nuances that are difficult for foreigners to understand, is silly. I can't see any reason for it other than insular attitudes and an insecurity about their identity.

 

[Wonderland_1010]

Having being moved from a small island country in the Pacific Ocean, my experience was so far has been normal. I was surprised to hear that @Charrington was having difficulties looking for jobs based on his accent. In my home country we spoke English too but with an accent as well. A lot of people thought I was from Canada from the way I spoke.

 

[pie_vancouver]

There are many factors to consider in this job hunting and job landing.
1. City/Municipality you are in
2. Field of Work
3. Job availability
4. How many applicants applied for one job
5. Your education and experience related to the job
6. The way you represent yourself IF you land an interview
7. If the employer is picky or not

 

[russ6970]

Everybody speaks with an accent wherever you come from. I am from Glasgow in Scotland and I have a very very very thick Glaswegian accent. Just need to slow it down a lot when I am talking to new people that's all. Not hard

 

[APPNOV2014NY]

You can invest in some accent reduction classes to resolve this.

 

[chente]

Did you adapt your resume for the Canadian standards? I don't think so if you applied 200 jobs in 3 months. Anyway good luck!

 

[permafrost_can]

Unless there is more information you didn't share, you were not racially discriminated. Being told that your accent is hard to understand has nothing to do with your skin colour. Maybe you were discriminated, but not racially discriminated.

I have a master's degree from my home country, over a year of experience in Vancouver plus 4 more years back home. When I moved to Winnipeg, I got one interview and zero jobs for 3 months. After 3 months, I got a casual job as an interpreter and a substitute position as a secretary, even with Canadian work experience and a graduate degree. After working like this a month and a half, I got a full time job as a secretary; within 4 months I moved up to a coordinator position (well paid), after a year I applied for my current job and got it. The start is usually pretty rocky, but it is not impossible to eventually find something in your field. For those who are just heading here, make sure to volunteer, network (use LinkedIn as much as you can), and go get newcomer employment services. You'll see the difference that it will make.

 

[permafrost_can]

Did you adapt your resume for the Canadian standards? I don't think so if you applied 200 jobs in 3 months. Anyway good luck!

Hi Chente, are you from Mexico? Just curious, because Chente is a common nickname for men named Vicente in Mexico

 

[Charrington]

I find this whole local experience thing ridiculous. I mean, come on, Canada is the most generic western country in the world. Not like it's China or Burkino Faso or something. They're just insecure about being in the U.S.'s shadow want to act like they're unique and different. Canadian employers need to get over themselves and realize that their primitive businesses are crying out for some international perspective and experience. I've lived in eight countries and this is the first country where international experience is seen as a negative. Like I said, ridiculous!

Yeah it's really a backwards way of thinking compared to every other country I've ever lived in too not sure why they think this way, anyway good luck with settling Into Canada everyone I'm doing well back home

 

[Charrington]

Unless there is more information you didn't share, you were not racially discriminated. Being told that your accent is hard to understand has nothing to do with your skin colour. Maybe you were discriminated, but not racially discriminated.

I have a master's degree from my home country, over a year of experience in Vancouver plus 4 more years back home. When I moved to Winnipeg, I got one interview and zero jobs for 3 months. After 3 months, I got a casual job as an interpreter and a substitute position as a secretary, even with Canadian work experience and a graduate degree. After working like this a month and a half, I got a full time job as a secretary; within 4 months I moved up to a coordinator position (well paid), after a year I applied for my current job and got it. The start is usually pretty rocky, but it is not impossible to eventually find something in your field. For those who are just heading here, make sure to volunteer, network (use LinkedIn as much as you can), and go get newcomer employment services. You'll see the difference that it will make.

I feel it was important to share my experience everyone has a different one however it is important people have use to all possible stories and information before making immigration decisions. Reality is most countries Europe Australia etc they like international experience and networking volunteering and working for free and volunteering are not usually required to get a job. It's a lot of hard work much harder than many countries to get into professions and it's good for people to know this so they can make informed decisions about life choices.

 

[permafrost_can]

I feel it was important to share my experience everyone has a different one however it is important people have use to all possible stories and information before making immigration decisions. Reality is most countries Europe Australia etc they like international experience and networking volunteering and working for free and volunteering are not usually required to get a job. It's a lot of hard work much harder than many countries to get into professions and it's good for people to know this so they can make informed decisions about life choices.

Well, then Canada wasn't the right fit for you. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you but I'm sure you will be happier in Australia or whichever country you choose next.