Employment

I would like to share with you my job hunting experience in Canada. I moved to Canada from India where I worked with many prestigious organizations in the property management field. I was at the my peak of my career working as a Project Manager with the British High Commission (UK Embassy) when my husband was transferred to Canada and we moved here to start a new life. Initially, I thought that having worked with diplomats it would be easy for me to find a job, but being a self-critic I decided to look for a job at a lower level than what I was used to in order to gain Canadian experience and to understand Canadian work culture. I started my job hunt as an office assistant/coordinator. Creating a resume, applying for jobs, attending job fairs started with great enthusiasm, but it didn’t last for long. I applied to various jobs with the help from a career resume counsellor. I was really disappointed when I did not receive a single interview call. Meanwhile, I decided to work as a volunteer activity assistant/office assistant with Harbour Front Centre. My volunteering job gave me an emotional boost and the confidence that I could work in Canada. All I needed was the chance to work. Then I started applying everywhere irrespective of the job field. I even made my resume look like I was a high school graduate with no formal education or experience. All of these efforts landed me a job at Tim Hortons as a cashier. I took that job on a very positive note. After working at Tim Hortons I moved my way upward and worked in various retail businesses for the next 4 years. All of the retail jobs gave me good experience in Canadian customer service and cash handling. Finally, after 4 years of work experience in Canada, I got a job in the Government sector and I was very happy about it. One thing I have realised in my job hunt is that you need to have Canadian work experience to get a job, so irrespective of whether it is paid or unpaid try to gain work experience. Also, make a good impression at your work place, so that you can get references. Do not see any job as small or big, relevant or irrelevant; you never know which field you are going to land. One last thing: keep on working, your current and past experience may not count for your job hunt, but it will definitely help you to move upward in the work world. Enjoy working!