Greetings fellow aliens
About a year ago when I was planning my move, I kept finding many stories of disappointment from people that had moved to Canada. It especially came down to not being able to find work. Then someone in one of the threads said that most of the people that post either had really good experiences or really bad experiences, the ones with fairly average experiences simply settle in and get on with the business of living.
I thought it was important that I come back and leave some feedback. One, because this forum was and continues to be so important for me on this journey. Two, it is important especially for those still on the fence to get as many views as possible to help them make an advised decision. In the end of course, everyone's experience is unique.
Here is a brief of my experience.
I arrived in Halifax Nova Scotia on 16th April 2018. Today marks 3 months since that landing. I live in Halifax now. I would describe my experience as being normal. Nothing remarkable. I had taken the SOPA pre-arrival course for BC before I landed which was great. Even though I ended up in a different province, the learnings were transferrable. My resume was ready to go, the day I arrived. I also printed business cards at my local UPS (terrible print quality) that first week so I would have something to leave with people when I met them.
I signed up to Indeed and sent out a few targeted resumes. Within the first month I attended 3 interviews, received 2 offers and accepted one. Only one of those interviews was from an Indeed applications, the others were as a result or networking and professional organisations such as Halifax Partnership Connector Program and of course ISANS. During week 6 or 7, I was invited to interview for another role thanks to one of those organisations (they send your resume to interested/registered local companies ) I then got an offer following 3 stages of interviews. Since it was a more professional role. I turned down the initial offer I had accepted.
The role is below the pay level I had in my previous country but it got my foot in the door and I continue to apply for roles that catch my interest and match my skills.
Today, 90 days since I arrived, I received my PR card. I have been staring at it all afternoon. It's a good feeling, but it's also a normal feeling. There is no magic dust, not that I expected any. Once you arrive, you soon fall into the normal rituals of life. Commuting, grocery shopping, bills, chatting about the weather, watering your tiny summer garden and that becomes your new normal. It's life, just thousands of miles away from the place you once called home.
- PK.
.
.
Questions welcome. My blog is https://alieninvancouver.blog/
About a year ago when I was planning my move, I kept finding many stories of disappointment from people that had moved to Canada. It especially came down to not being able to find work. Then someone in one of the threads said that most of the people that post either had really good experiences or really bad experiences, the ones with fairly average experiences simply settle in and get on with the business of living.
I thought it was important that I come back and leave some feedback. One, because this forum was and continues to be so important for me on this journey. Two, it is important especially for those still on the fence to get as many views as possible to help them make an advised decision. In the end of course, everyone's experience is unique.
Here is a brief of my experience.
I arrived in Halifax Nova Scotia on 16th April 2018. Today marks 3 months since that landing. I live in Halifax now. I would describe my experience as being normal. Nothing remarkable. I had taken the SOPA pre-arrival course for BC before I landed which was great. Even though I ended up in a different province, the learnings were transferrable. My resume was ready to go, the day I arrived. I also printed business cards at my local UPS (terrible print quality) that first week so I would have something to leave with people when I met them.
I signed up to Indeed and sent out a few targeted resumes. Within the first month I attended 3 interviews, received 2 offers and accepted one. Only one of those interviews was from an Indeed applications, the others were as a result or networking and professional organisations such as Halifax Partnership Connector Program and of course ISANS. During week 6 or 7, I was invited to interview for another role thanks to one of those organisations (they send your resume to interested/registered local companies ) I then got an offer following 3 stages of interviews. Since it was a more professional role. I turned down the initial offer I had accepted.
The role is below the pay level I had in my previous country but it got my foot in the door and I continue to apply for roles that catch my interest and match my skills.
Today, 90 days since I arrived, I received my PR card. I have been staring at it all afternoon. It's a good feeling, but it's also a normal feeling. There is no magic dust, not that I expected any. Once you arrive, you soon fall into the normal rituals of life. Commuting, grocery shopping, bills, chatting about the weather, watering your tiny summer garden and that becomes your new normal. It's life, just thousands of miles away from the place you once called home.
- PK.
.
.
Questions welcome. My blog is https://alieninvancouver.blog/
