My name is Mudit Sadana and I moved to Canada in July, 2019. I am a software engineer with over six years of experience in developing high performance, high availability, mission critical software systems using web technologies.
During my journey to Canada, I was constantly told that the job market is challenging. However, I remained optimistic: my patience and persistent efforts resulted in interviews being scheduled prior to landing in Canada. Currently, I work as a Software Development Engineer with Amazon in Toronto.
This is my story.
I began my job search long before I moved. To get a headstart, I researched my industry, reached out to friends who had already settled in Canada, and connected with some Canadian recruitment agencies. Friends provided referrals to a few positions while the agencies helped with bagging a few interviews.
I networked with various professionals from my industry on LinkedIn and sought their advice on the local work culture — this helped to level-set expectations and understand ‘Canadian experience’. A friend provided a referral for an open position at Amazon which eventually led to the job offer. I was fortunate to find an opportunity that aligns well with my experience and education!
While things on the career front were smooth, my wife and I had our fair share of struggle with finding accommodation. Even though we had the necessary funds and documents, the lack of credit history proved to be a major barrier in finding a suitable place. After extensive research and looking at many places, we were eventually able to secure an apartment.
My journey to Canada has taught me three things:
- Patience: We are a generation of ‘30-minute pizza delivery’ and this attitude towards other situations in daily lives tends to make us impatient. So, patience is one thing that I’ve learned through the process of waiting for documentation, getting a job, finding an apartment, and other similar instances.
- Persistence: The timeline to get a job offer varies from one individual to another but it’s also proportional to the effort you put in when applying to jobs and preparing for interviews. There won’t always be positive responses but continue to persevere until you get the desired opportunity.
- Time management: When you live alone, away from family, you have to set aside time for household chores and personal activities like exercising. Therefore, planning all your tasks is important. In the initial months, along with your job search, you will also need to budget time for apartment hunting, making time management essential.
Here’s my advice to fellow newcomers:
- Networking is key
In Canada, networking is essential to finding the desired opportunity in your field. Prior to arrival, you can start networking online through sites like LinkedIn and reach out to professionals from your industry for advice. This is a good way to understand the local job market. - Build your skills
Communication skills and people skills matter. Most hiring managers don’t compromise on these ‘soft skills’. - Have a Canadian-style resume
Resumes in Canada are typically short and crisp. However, requirements vary by industry and it all depends on how effectively you showcase your experience and accomplishments. Also, let your resume be a true reflection of your skills; don’t lie.
Like most immigrants, I moved to Canada with hopes for a better lifestyle, a better standard of living, and professional success. As I settle in and adapt to the Canadian culture, I look forward to slowly and steadily achieving my personal and career goals.
