Well, a few months went by and nothing was forthcoming, no
calls, no interviews, nothing. The only response I received was “Thank you for
your interest, we regret to inform you that……” urgh😠.
So, it began; I read
online how one size does not fit all when it comes to job search. I had to
prepare different resumes for different positions; “Resume Banking, Resume
Admin, Resume Finance, Resume Accounting, Resume Customer Service etc. It was
so ANNOYING.😩. So I changed strategy and started applying for any role ; entry level, mid-career, senior roles; anything.
Before I forget, let me mention that during that period, some of the recruiters I heard from were the scammers. Those ones with a mail like the one below:
Job Title :Fin Admin/Customer accounts
Salary: $4000-$6000/month
"We find your resume on indeed and want to give you the above job. your responsibilities include processing of checks from our client base and payment into your personal account. You will transfer the money to us through your account and service our cliants.
please complet the attach form and include your resume in reply to this mail.
Please note that we are looking at several people for the job and want you to be quick to take the job."
Hilarious stuff, if it wasn't so annoying. Note all the spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors in the mail.
Before I forget, let me mention that during that period, some of the recruiters I heard from were the scammers. Those ones with a mail like the one below:
Job Title :Fin Admin/Customer accounts
Salary: $4000-$6000/month
"We find your resume on indeed and want to give you the above job. your responsibilities include processing of checks from our client base and payment into your personal account. You will transfer the money to us through your account and service our cliants.
please complet the attach form and include your resume in reply to this mail.
Please note that we are looking at several people for the job and want you to be quick to take the job."
Hilarious stuff, if it wasn't so annoying. Note all the spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors in the mail.
Sometimes I’ll curl up on the bed and just cry. Before I lost count, I had applied for over 370 jobs during a period of almost 1 year. I asked
myself so many questions during that period and even started doubting myself. My
confidence level dropped from 100 towards 0 so quickly, I actually lost weight.😭
Eventually, I got a job, but that's a story for another post.
Thanks for reading and please share your own stories in the
comments section or send a mail to immigrantincanada@outlook.com
if you will like me to publish it.
Cheers.
Titi
Cheers.
Titi
I can relate.. waiting for part 2
ReplyDeletePart 2 is on the way, thanks for reading.
DeleteReally it sucks that the wealth of experience a professional has doesn't count due to no Canadian work experience. I only hope this can be addressed so that we don't all begin at ground zero
ReplyDeleteIt really sucks, considering the fact that Permanent residents are brought into Canada because of their skills and experiences. I hope someone in government will review all the barriers placed on PRs and remove them.
DeleteTiti,I found your story very interesting cause I did those applications too,especially to the banks here in United States.The difference is that some of them actually called me for interviews but nothing come forth after all from those banks.God will continually order our steps in His direction in Jesus Name.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tolu.
DeleteImmigrating is tough, but fortune will always favour the brave.
Well done Titi. Sounds very familiar... having relocated to the UK myself many years ago only that I didn't apply for as many jobs ;-). 370 applications is no joke!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to hearing on how you broke through.
Thanks Abi.
DeleteImmigrating to a new location as an adult is always tough. Well, we have to rough it out anyway - no choice really.
I understand and imagine the feelings. I had almost the same experience but will I say I was lucky enough not to target the senior positions alone. I had over 50 different resumes, customer service, financial service Rep, Marketing, anything you can think of in that line. I was always going to recruiters office everyday, attending all employment fairs and seminars. As much as I could attend. With God's favour and grace I was able to get my first job within 2 months of landing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Biola, you know we all have different experiences. Sometimes, location affects new immigrants, at other times, just the element of favour/luck also makes a difference.
ReplyDeleteWe will eat the good of this land.
Amen, egbon mi!
DeleteFavour/luck and right information that we get on platforms like this also make a lot of difference. I will add again that information is very key and important.
DeleteI totally agree. Information is key and knowing the right people too. A lot of people take advantage of immigrants and introduce them to so many things that won't help them. Let's keep sharing our stories for those who are here and those who will come later to learn from.
Delete370 application is no Joke considering your wealth of experience. I can sure relate. Its the same thing across board in most advance countries. It can be very frustrating but there is always break through looming somewhere. Saying that, the wait can be frustrating.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tosin.
DeleteThe wait can be really frustrating. Hopefully, the authorities make the process better going forward.
I can relate with your experience as l went through same. I can remember how many job ads l applied to but it was sure a lot. I only remember the ones that gave me false hopes, the ones that made me think l was ibder a, spell from my Villiage in far away Nigeria. I remember having 43 telephone interviews and physically attending another 57 job interview in a space of 14 months. Somedays l hade 3 days.....
ReplyDeleteI had left a progressive and successful banking career in Nigeria after 13 years.When l resigned frim my job in Nigeria a lot of people thought l has lost it, this list includes my immediate boss, My father and colleagues.
But l had prepared myself skillwise and was determined to succeed in Canada...at the point l was beginning to loose my mind, my desired job showed up.
Canada is a learning experience, sometimes l wish l had come earlier (as a student or in my twenties). Canada is a leveller; to succeed here you must first do away with many things. Its like stooping low to garner strength for a high jump.And If you believe , dont give up .... you will surely succeed...hit your target.
Two ingredients to succeeding in canada.
1. The people you meet/mix with.
2. Having the right information.
Bambam
Hi BamBam.
DeleteThanks so much for your input. I actually wished I had the opportunity to have come in my twenties too. It's a little more difficult when you are getting to middle management and you suddenly leave. The truth is the compelling reasons for relocating are still valid despite the hurdles.
Meeting the right people is key, it can go a long way to make a difference in how long it will take to properly settle down.
Coming to Canada needs serious preparations. You have to be in the right frame of mind, be practical and realistic in your approaches.
ReplyDeleteYou don't want to come to Canada just because you have a Bachelor Degree from an International background and you expect people there to roll red carpets for you right away just because you're an executive director from your home country.
You have to make yourself competitive at the international level and offer something exceptional or what will be difficult for the local resources to achieve easily so that you have competitive advantage.
Let me give few examples to conclude. Let's assume you are targeting careers in ICT, why not go for CCIE Certification for example if you have the capacity? For a Business Analyst/Project Manager, I will advice targeting combinations of MBA and Msc in Information Science(in addition to Prince2, PMP, CBAP etc) especially in Canada ahead of move.
There's no shortcut to success anywhere in the world.
As I write, I am still regretting my inactions as I see those that prepared very well taking all opportunity as if hardship never existed in the same country
Thanks for your input.
DeleteIf I had the opportunity to retrace my steps, I will actually go back to school. Canada as a country places value on the local education. It is still not a guarantee, but it will give one a better opportunity to compete well. There's no age that is too old for learning. Hopefully both old and new immigrants can take advantage of the financing options available for education. Thanks so much.
It is well, you shall laugh last...
ReplyDeleteAmen. Thanks
DeleteI can't agree less with the advantage of venturing when you are much younger but on the other hand, I feel like one must have an open mind in these circumstances and try not to appear desperate. Nive story, thanks for sharing Titi.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nick.
DeleteIt's way easier when one is younger, but the essence of the blog is for people to manage their expectations and learn from other people's experiences. Having an open mind is absolutely needed.