I arrived in Canada during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic when all flights were banned. However, I managed to secure a spot on a repatriation flight as my Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) was expiring next month. It was a risky decision given the circumstances, especially with the job market being very challenging in Canada at the time.
Fortunately, my Indian employer allowed me to work remotely from Canada for the first few months until I could find a job locally. However, adjusting to the time zone differences was difficult, as I had to wake up at 2 am to start work and continue until 12 pm, leaving little energy for job hunting and interviews. The basement where I was living, with its shared kitchen, washroom, and small bed, only added to the sense of isolation and hardship. With no time for breakfast or lunch, I turned to LinkedIn to connect with people and seek referrals, but the response was minimal, leaving me feeling lost and without guidance.
I had no idea how to create a Canadian-style resume or how to navigate interviews. After two months of struggling, I made the tough decision to leave my Indian job and fully focus on finding work in Canada.
I applied for a job at a call center and was fortunate enough to be hired on the same day as the interview, albeit on minimum wages. While it was a relief to enter the Canadian job market, it wasn't without its challenges. I was still on a 30-day notice period with my Indian employer, meaning I had to juggle two jobs between 2 am and 5 pm, leaving me exhausted and overwhelmed.
With time, experience, and numerous rejections, I learned to tailor my resume for each job application and started receiving interview calls. I scheduled them either before 9 am or between 1-2 pm, often skipping meals in the process.
Despite receiving rejection after rejection, I persevered, constantly striving to improve myself. Finally, after five months of relentless effort, I landed a job with one of the largest “federal government” companies in Canada in my field.
Those five months were filled with 150 days of anxiety, doubt, low self-esteem, and sleepless nights. But I knew that perseverance would eventually pay off.
Even now, more than three years later, those struggles remain fresh in my mind. I'm grateful for the opportunities Canada has provided me, and I don't take them for granted. I've realized that nothing worthwhile comes without struggle. Today, I'm proud to be making my parents proud and living the life I once dreamt of as a kid.
Cheers 🥂
21 авг 2024
