Country: India
Date Hired: June 24, 2019
Job Title: Customer Service
Employer: 24-7 InTouch
How did the Immigrant Centre help you to find a job in Canada?
Immigrant Centre in Winnipeg guided me to attend the employment-related workshops, helped me to write my resume as per the Canadian employment market, taught me how to search for jobs, how to apply for jobs, they checked my resume before applying, printed resume for me, guided on interview skills/questions required in Canadian market. They also send me emails regarding various job opportunities. Informed if there is any job event, they took us to explore the hidden job market where we actually visited a few employers in person. My facilitator, Farwa really was very supportive throughout the process. She encouraged me a lot, guided me, responded to all my queries, answered my phone calls and emails very promptly which helped me to motivate and become proactive in my job search.
What types of job search techniques did you use to find your job?
I updated my resume as per Canadian Employment Market with the help of Farwa, my facilitator. I used a job specific resume while applying for a particular position, referred Job bank web site for knowing job responsibilities, salary, and skills for a particular job. I upgraded my Computer skills while I was in my home country. Further, I applied various web sites for job search i.e Linked In, Indeed, Job bank also the web sites suggested by the Immigrant center, I visited some of the employers directly, tried to find out the hidden job market, searched jobs in my industry, learned what courses/licenses required to get my home country job, Initially aimed to get a startup job (Short term goal) then kept going the job search activity for the better opportunity in my industry. I attended various workshops, job fairs, Job events suggested by the Immigrant center, made my calendar and acted accordingly, invested minimum 2-3 hours daily for job search. I developed my friend circle/networking in Canada, applied for volunteer opportunities to learn the Canadian job market and work environment.
What differences have you noticed between working in Canada and working in your home country?
The Canadian job market is very transparent and very systematic. Employers are very professional. I observed a lot of punctuality and discipline in the work culture. Co-workers are friendly and supportive. Here employers give a lot of emphasis on training and developing the skills of the employees which always help individual to grow personally and professionally. Employers are very respectful. Here everyone gives respect to every individual. The work environment is very friendly and supportive, with lots of learning opportunities. Working hours are fixed, if you work overtime you will be paid extra. Also, we can work with 2 employers, can do freelancing activities, can work full time /part time as per your requirements by adhering to the employment standards. The interview process is very smooth and systematic. It's not lengthy. They are very clear in communication and very professional. Hygiene standards are very high and well maintained in the workplace.
What advice would you give to immigrants and newcomers looking for work?
I would say that one has to be very determined and focussed while searching for the job, we have to be proactive. It's better if we can start gathering the required information while we are in our home country which can save our time after arriving here and quickly arrange and start the related activities as we know what to do. Canadian employment standards are very high hence advice would be to enhance computer/technical skills while in the home country, develop soft skills as major emphasis is given for the same, enhance communication skills/English language, if possible you can complete French language certification as this will be value added to your skills/experience. Register at the Immigration center as soon as you reach to Canada as they will guide you through the basic steps of immigration, settlement, and employment. Dedicate a minimum of 2-3 hours daily for the job search, attend job fairs, workshops maximum interviews. Prepare your calendar and act accordingly. Keep short term as well as long term career goals and take necessary steps accordingly.