I can't believe that I've been here for almost a year! However, it's true. March 29 is my first anniversary. I'm not sure if I'm still a "new" immigrant after Mar 29.
I would like to be counted as a Canadian, though.
I recalled on Mar 28, 2010 I landed at Edmonton, AB without any companies. All made me decide to fly to Edmonton is my positive expectation of the job market in Alberta. When I submitted my application to Buffalo CIC in Aug 2009, I applied as FSW - accountant (at that time accountant was an acceptable occupation). Since then I spent a little time searching for Canadian market and got (sort of) that Alberta has jobs. At the end of 2010, I landed in Toronto. Meantime, my status at CIC tracking ended with "You became to Permanent Resident of Canada on Dec 29, 2010." Toronto was my selected landing city on my application form but I decided to start in Alberta.
I only spent two nights in Toronto but got four important things done: 1) exchanging my US driver's license to Ontario (in Aug 2010 I went back to my country from US as I ran out of F1 term, and my license was expired in Oct 2010 -- However, as long as within 6 months since your US license gets expired, one can exchange a valid license in Canada. I therefore easily got Ontario Class 5); 2) getting SIN; 3) registering myself with medical insurance; and 4) opening a bank account and obtaining credit card and debit card. I am lucky. I don't have any relatives in Canada but have a friend in Toronto. I got a temporary license right away and the rest of cards/documentations were sent to my friend's within a month. In the very early morning, I said good-bye to Pearson and flew to US to visit my close friends. It was Dec 31, 2010. How happy I was!
April 8, 2011. I got snow in Edmonton. I was so surprised and even a little depressed. The depression is from snow and job hunting. Although I knew it's not easy for new comers to build a life in a new place, I never expected finding a job could be “that” hard. During the first two weeks, I sort of submitted about 200 emails to apply for various accounting jobs without any response. I believed something was wrong but couldn't figure out a solution to solve it. I therefore started looking for help online and noted “newcomer center” or something like that.
When I looked back, I would suggest all new comers to visit such a center. You won't find a job there but you will get tons of help including resume revision, interview techniques, making friends, job fair, etc. etc. During the last two weeks of April, I received four interview calls, two of which were from KPMG.
I thought I could get a job in KPMG as the two calls brought me lots of hopes. I spent the first week of May in US again and waited for my first offer letter after I was back to Edmonton. However, I got a rejection email finally. The only thing that I could do was to look for job again. I was a little frustrated but tried my best to keep myself moving. Otherwise, I could be more and more frustrated.
Thank God who didn't make my days too hard. Deloitte interviewed me twice during the last week of May and issued me an offer letter with a good relocation package in June. I finally moved to Calgary in September and my new life/new job begins since then. Before relocation, I went back to US again.
I guess most readers here are highly interested in job searching in Canada. I'm not familiar with other occupations than accounting or financial audit. However, as what I said every one of us needs to keep ourselves moving. Don't spend too much time in front of TV or computer at home. Go to new comer center, university libraries, employment assistance office, English/French center, etc. to talk with others, to share experience with others, and to get to know your new living place. Migrating to Canada is a smart decision. Life will be always bright. Try to enjoy your life even before you find a job. Think about it – you will find a job anyway, but after you get a job you may not have much leisure time. ;D For instance myself, I work in Deloitte six days a week, longer than 12 hours every day.
I love my life in Canada, although I still cannot balance life and work. I'm very happy with my decision to go to Canada that I made two years ago and proud that I've been here for a year!
