Hi Qorax / Other members,
The following is my experience of landing in Canada as well as the settling down process and finally the job search.
I have split it in 3 parts - landing process,settlement process,job process
I have only listed my experience and my intention is to pass on the info which maybe both positive and negative.
Landing Process -
- I landed in Calgary in the beginning of Oct'10.
- The landing process – We(my wife and kid) came thro British airways from India after a changeover at London.The food and the comfort levels inside the flight were ok but the service was not something to shout about.But I heard the Luft flights via Frankfurt were worse in terms of seat comfort compared to BA.
- If you want to call India from London during the stopover,then you better carry the calling cards form India.I hopped on to the internet at the London airport as somebody had not utilised the time fully and it was open.
- Do not carry any perfumes or body sprays of more than 100 ml.At the London airport we were delayed as we had 200 ml liquid with us of body spray in the hand baggage.
- Once we reached Calgary we were met by the passport control who guided us to the immigration counters and welcomed us in a nice manner.
- At the immigration,very few people were there and we applied for our PR cards.It is a very simple process and you only need to have the local address ready.I had filled in some PR application forms which were not necessary.Still not received.
- From there we went to the Customs.The guy at the counter was impressed with the way I had organised the papers and photos of both B4 and B4A.The result was he never told us to open anything and just asked me to show him the dollar draft which I was carrying.At the PR process we were asked how much funds we are carrying.
- We came out and were received by my relative with whom we intended to stay.He arranged for a Limo at the airport and we reached his place.It was night time and we took rest after chatting for a long time as we were meeting after a long time.
Settlement Process –
- The next day we went for the SIN card.It was applied at the service Canada office near the Chinook mall,We were received in an impressive way and were given the pamphlets and necessary papers needed for integrating into the Canadian way of life.
- At this place they have free internet services and telephone services.Also they have literature on how to build your resume,the Canadian way.
- Due to the recession, the govt had sponsored a programme called tactics for success,but this was discontinued from nov'10 as the official word here is, Canada is limping out of recession.
- Since then I have received the SIN cards for all the family.
- From there went and applied for the Alberta health card which we have to do in registries which have been opened at different locations.We got the card immediately and we were told that the insurance coverage starts from the day we landed.
- Then another day I went for the driving licence.I was told to take a computer test of 30 questions out of which we need to answer 25 correctly.I got the handbook from the registry itself for free and prepared myself and passed the test at the first attempt.There is no time limit for the test.
- Subsequently I got my eye tested at the same place and I was handed over my Alberta class 7 driving licence with which I cannot do anything.I submitted my Indian driving licence along with the RTA letter for waiver of the waiting period for GDL licence or class 5 licence.I got the waiver in 2 weks time and I am now intending to take the road test after undergoing some driving classes and theory classes for which I need to enrol in the driving institute.
- I opened a bank account with the RBC as they have a programme for new immigrants.They gave me waiver of fees for one year and they gave me their popular savings account as I had deposited the dollar draft with them.Also they have approved for me a credit card for 1,000/= dollars.Cheque book of 100 leaves is also free.
- In between we went to Edmonton as my relative drove me and my family and we visited the West Edmonton mall which is quite huge with all the brands under a single roof.Also there is a huge area for kid games.
- I sent my wife and kid back after a week's stay as I intended to settle down first before I bring them here for good ,maybe after 6 months.
- I fell sick due to the cold climate, to which I have never been exposed to this extent,I utilised my insurance card and had to pay only for the prescriptions.But even the medicines are expensive here and when you get a job you should try to get your employer to cover at least 70-80% of the prescriptions and eye and dental care as the insurance does not cover.It may have been necessary to go to the physio for me but luckily I improved.Mind you physio is not covered and physio or the chiropractor will cost you exhorbitant.
- Still I have not got the hang of the mobile phone scene in Canada and every operator is a rip off.Unfortunately for a developed country like Canada the mobile scene is quite primitive and the reason is they are monopolising with a few operators and not encouraging healthy competition,resulting in woes for the customer.I would welcome if anybody can give me the name of a mobile operator who is square and fair in his dealings.And mind you, do not ever enter into any sort of contract.Always double check the contract if you want to enter.
Job process –
- After I sent my family I went headlong into my job search.I am an accountant and I was looking for a job in my same profession.
- Initially I went leather and tongs with my cv application and started applying thro the net across canada wherever there was an accounting job.I was open for relocation.But this strategy of mine was error prone.
- First of all you need to evaluate your foreign credentials.I have sent mine for evaluation and orally they have given me advanced standing status in my profession which I incorporated in my cv.It helped me for future applications.
- Then I changed my cv a little bit by downplaying my experience as I have 15 years of experience and the Canadian market does not recognise it.So what use, is having it, as it discouraged employers as they thought maybe they would not be able to accommodate me in the middle rung or entry level positions.
- I met the job consultants and also attended a career job fair from where I came to know the importance of tailoring your resume w.r.t. the job you are applying.Also the cover note to the resume was modified showing your strengths vis a vis the company requirement.
- The consultants told me that I have three options to land a job – 1.) I should be open to entry level jobs in my profession and start applying for it as even though my qualifications were partly recognised but I do not have the Canadian experience.My friends,I tell you ,Canadian experience is the biggest stumbling block for all of us.2.)Try to apply and get a contractual job in the oil and gas industry.This is a temporary job but the pay or the rate per hour will be high compared to a normal job as there are no benefits other than the money in this.Here chances are good as being temporary the employer will take a chance with a guy without Canadian experience.It is hire and fire.3.)Networking – Please note this word is the most important in Canada.Most of the Canadian people themselves jump jobs because of their network.How to get this – is a difficult question and you need to keep your eyes and ears open and try to build the network thro a chain of people.You have to start somewhere.As we people are new to this place we are severely handicapped.Eg: Here the recruitment is done by the hiring manager and not the HR manager.The hiring manager is the guy who is directly related to the position for which you are taken in.Hence always try to get the contacts of hiring managers and give them cold calls.Do not worry about the impact.Nothing adverse will happen.
- Based on the above I changed my approach and started applying selectively and by modifications to the cv based on the job on hand.
- Of course there are so many other things which I have missed out or which does not come to my mind.
- This is a whole time job which I did for one month day and night literally.I used to sit up before the computer from morning upto evening as if it was a job at the office.
- Thro the good offices of my relative,he forwarded my resume based on an opportunity inside his office to the hiring manager as by chance he came to know who the hiring manager was.Based on his email I was called for an interview after the 3rd day of my landing.I attended the interview,did very well both technically as well as soft skills.I was very confident and assumed that I had landed this job.But I waited for 3 weeks,no word from them and one fine day I got a rejection email.I was down and out and thought that I had let slip off a golden opportunity presented to me on a platter after I landed.Add to it ,it was top notch company.Most of the questions were concerning behavioural skills and if you get an interview call then more than half the battle is won.
- Then the same I st week of my landing I got another interview call for an opportunity I had applied when I was working in dubai.This was a very old and reputed company in Canada.The nature of job needed lot of networking abilities where I found myself wanting at this stage.So here the chances were limited.
- After this almost for a month I had nothing on my plate and was really getting depressed off and on.I prayed to god that desperation should not set in and intended to join in the same profession rather than doing survival jobs.
- After exactly a month I got an interview call.Initially after applying I was constantly in touch with the HR and she gave told me the process of selection.But after following up for almost a fortnight one fine day when I contacted them again the HR told me that job is on hold and the Hiring manager may reconsider it after sometime.Then I went to the website of that company and got hold of one of the email IDs of the Hiring guy there and sent him a cold mail explaining myself.I do not know what happened but the guy replied immediately and asked me out for an interview.We met outside the office and he was impressed by me and told me to come to the office for a second round of interview.I was able to impress his boss too and I got the job offer in my same profession at almost the same level with a pay packet in recognition of my qualifications and experience.
- It has been a roller coaster ride of a month at times depressing .But somehow I tried to extricate out of this by concentrating on the few positives.A positive attitude with the necessary drive is essential here no matter what you are or who you are.It has been an experience which I took upon myself and even if I did not succeed I do not have any boby to blame except for me as the decision to immigrate was mine and I was fully aware of the potholes ahead.So be aware and be ahead of the bunch should be the motto.Jobs are available.It is only that you need to be at the right place at the right time.Some people call it luck but I would call it destiny.
- I have received a call for another interview after I got the firm offer.So it looks like the economy is on the verge of recovery and hope it stays that way.
- I am right now on my house search which is quite expensive here.So long my stay at my relative's place saved me my penny for which I am thankful.
I have got a lot from this forum especially from our dear captain Qorax and other members.This is just a small way of my reciprocation.
Qorax and other senior members - you people are doing a tremendous yeoman service and it is my suggestion that you enliven this forum by your thought process and genuine intention to help others, of course ,based on your personal commitments which differ from individual to individual.
All the best to all the prospective immigrants as well as to the recently landed immigrants.Keep working at it and leave the rest to destiny which never let's any genuine effort go in vain.
Special mention for Qorax – You just do not stop amazing me with your energy,wisdom and selfless service which you have volunteered.Hats off to you.I have been a sort of muted spectator at this forum but the way and the promptness with which Qorax replies back is phenomenal.
Thanks for reading this mail.It will be a bonus for me if you take any positives from here.
Regards
Pen Pal
