Prior to moving to Canada, this was one of the things i was most afraid of. After reading numerous articles, posts on this, i was worried. Did i make the right choice? There were so many stories of people leaving good jobs in their own countries to start a new life abroad. And then after coming here their struggles to find employment. Read even accounts of people who had to go back home after failing to make a good life here. But it doesnt have to be like that, if one takes wise and pragmatic steps.
Just thought would share my experience with those are in the position i was a few months ago-prior to my move.
Firstly, no matter what position one has back home, how many years of experience they have, or where they studied, they have to accept the fact they may have to start from scratch in Canada. Unless a person has deep expertise in a specific field like accounting or programming/IT, there is a very high probability they will have to "Re-Start" their careers. This takes getting used to, but the sooner one accepts this-the better. I had my mind made up before i even landed-that i will accept the first decent job that i find (And it took me less than 2 weeks to find a reasonably good job). Important thing is not to delay...as one may eat up the money they bring by waiting for the perfect job. The perfect job wont come so soon...which leads me to the the types of jobs in my own experience and understanding.
I would classify jobs into four categories. Category 1 would be pure survival jobs-McDonalds, Tim Hortons, any restaurant/fast food, delivery, cleaner, construction. These jobs are available all the time-as there is high turnover. Chances are one may not need to go through a formal hiring process-just basic interview. These jobs will pay minimum wage although some close to 20. One can end up making a reasonable amount of money-around 3000 CAD (Before tax) doing such jobs-provided they work the hours. These jobs are hard though with long hours, and many coming from good jobs at home are hesitant about doing these-although it is perfectly fine and respectable in Canada. Category 2 would be retail, customer service, call center, sales related jobs. Again hourly paid, and mostly close to minimum wage; but in such jobs there may be a recruitment process in place which has interviews, online skill assessment etc. Sometimes category 1 pays more than 2.
Category 3 jobs are full time salaried positions. These are not ones dream jobs or in their line of expertise or interest, but nevertheless it is sign of progression. Eg: an accountant starting a job in administration or sth. Category 4 jobs are the type of job one was doing back home, and what people have the desire to do in Canada. These jobs may be in ones career and long term interests. These jobs are hard to come by, and one can only get here after several years of experience, getting results and perhaps enhancing ones resume with some local qualification.
Biggest mistake in my opinion is the fact people aim for Category 4 jobs. In fact some are even finicky about Category 3. There is no harm applying and trying ones luck-again, if they have a very specific skill set and if there is demand for such a profession they can get these type of jobs. But in most other cases it is highly improbable. And while people wait for their dream jobs, they deplete their bank account, and grow incredibly frustrated with life in Canada.
Imo, one should apply for as many jobs as they can once they are here. Its a game of numbers. Perhaps they can start applying for category 2, 3, 4 jobs. There are numerous websites, one can even reach out to headhunters who are very effective (More on this later). It is important that one has a very good resume-in Canada they prefer a one page resume-they like it very concise, neat and organized. If one fails to find a job in any of these categories, they should slowly try going for category 1. And sometimes these jobs require a person to just walk up to a McDonalds etc with a copy of the resume and hand it to the branch managers. The idea is not to waste the money they brought with them, and even while a person works on a job like this-they will gain "Canadian Experience", build contacts/network. And while doing that job they can always apply for other jobs, visit career fairs etc.
There are plenty of jobs available in Canada. One just has to accept the reality-that it cannot be what they had back home-and they need to work their way up again. Another mistake immigrants make is picking the big cities. Although big cities have more jobs, they are also likely to have more competition for jobs. Smaller towns are much easier for newcomers in this aspect.
Which brings me to the last point-"Canadian Experience". Many employers will reject candidates during interviews citing lack of Canadian Experience. Many criticize this aspect of Canadian employers. But after working here, i realize this is necessary. Many immigrants struggle to adjust to the culture here-general culture, and also corporate culture. It takes them time to adapt to the language, understand norms, systems, countries laws/regulations. This is particularly true for those coming from the developing world. Even if one notices how a sales person provides customer service in the mall; it is of another completely different level. So to learn these and adapt it takes time.
80% of the battle here is ones own perception. We are often too worried about what others will think, or regret about the fact that we had such a higher post before. But remember, its a whole new ball game here. One might have been a star performer back home, but here they are small fish in a very big pond. With persistence and sacrifices, one should be able to accomplish their goals in the time to come.
Just thought would share my experience with those are in the position i was a few months ago-prior to my move.
Firstly, no matter what position one has back home, how many years of experience they have, or where they studied, they have to accept the fact they may have to start from scratch in Canada. Unless a person has deep expertise in a specific field like accounting or programming/IT, there is a very high probability they will have to "Re-Start" their careers. This takes getting used to, but the sooner one accepts this-the better. I had my mind made up before i even landed-that i will accept the first decent job that i find (And it took me less than 2 weeks to find a reasonably good job). Important thing is not to delay...as one may eat up the money they bring by waiting for the perfect job. The perfect job wont come so soon...which leads me to the the types of jobs in my own experience and understanding.
I would classify jobs into four categories. Category 1 would be pure survival jobs-McDonalds, Tim Hortons, any restaurant/fast food, delivery, cleaner, construction. These jobs are available all the time-as there is high turnover. Chances are one may not need to go through a formal hiring process-just basic interview. These jobs will pay minimum wage although some close to 20. One can end up making a reasonable amount of money-around 3000 CAD (Before tax) doing such jobs-provided they work the hours. These jobs are hard though with long hours, and many coming from good jobs at home are hesitant about doing these-although it is perfectly fine and respectable in Canada. Category 2 would be retail, customer service, call center, sales related jobs. Again hourly paid, and mostly close to minimum wage; but in such jobs there may be a recruitment process in place which has interviews, online skill assessment etc. Sometimes category 1 pays more than 2.
Category 3 jobs are full time salaried positions. These are not ones dream jobs or in their line of expertise or interest, but nevertheless it is sign of progression. Eg: an accountant starting a job in administration or sth. Category 4 jobs are the type of job one was doing back home, and what people have the desire to do in Canada. These jobs may be in ones career and long term interests. These jobs are hard to come by, and one can only get here after several years of experience, getting results and perhaps enhancing ones resume with some local qualification.
Biggest mistake in my opinion is the fact people aim for Category 4 jobs. In fact some are even finicky about Category 3. There is no harm applying and trying ones luck-again, if they have a very specific skill set and if there is demand for such a profession they can get these type of jobs. But in most other cases it is highly improbable. And while people wait for their dream jobs, they deplete their bank account, and grow incredibly frustrated with life in Canada.
Imo, one should apply for as many jobs as they can once they are here. Its a game of numbers. Perhaps they can start applying for category 2, 3, 4 jobs. There are numerous websites, one can even reach out to headhunters who are very effective (More on this later). It is important that one has a very good resume-in Canada they prefer a one page resume-they like it very concise, neat and organized. If one fails to find a job in any of these categories, they should slowly try going for category 1. And sometimes these jobs require a person to just walk up to a McDonalds etc with a copy of the resume and hand it to the branch managers. The idea is not to waste the money they brought with them, and even while a person works on a job like this-they will gain "Canadian Experience", build contacts/network. And while doing that job they can always apply for other jobs, visit career fairs etc.
There are plenty of jobs available in Canada. One just has to accept the reality-that it cannot be what they had back home-and they need to work their way up again. Another mistake immigrants make is picking the big cities. Although big cities have more jobs, they are also likely to have more competition for jobs. Smaller towns are much easier for newcomers in this aspect.
Which brings me to the last point-"Canadian Experience". Many employers will reject candidates during interviews citing lack of Canadian Experience. Many criticize this aspect of Canadian employers. But after working here, i realize this is necessary. Many immigrants struggle to adjust to the culture here-general culture, and also corporate culture. It takes them time to adapt to the language, understand norms, systems, countries laws/regulations. This is particularly true for those coming from the developing world. Even if one notices how a sales person provides customer service in the mall; it is of another completely different level. So to learn these and adapt it takes time.
80% of the battle here is ones own perception. We are often too worried about what others will think, or regret about the fact that we had such a higher post before. But remember, its a whole new ball game here. One might have been a star performer back home, but here they are small fish in a very big pond. With persistence and sacrifices, one should be able to accomplish their goals in the time to come.
