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My post landing experience

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My post landing experience of Canada
By:

Friends,
This is my first message on my post landing experience in Toronto last month. The last 4 weeks have been full of surprises and I’d like to share some of my 2 cents from a different perspective.

The first big surprise was at the first immigration counter when the immigration officer said to me “Welcome to Canada, your new home..eh”. I cannot describe the feeling, every country that I have been to in the past I was asked at the immigration “When do you plan to leave?” The next immigration officer turned out to be a lady of indian origin, she took my picture for PR and did not even bother to check my landing funds, even when I insisted on showing ( I spent $10 in getting the drafts made and no one even looked at it )Then I was given a welcome package with vital info for new immigrants. This booklet holds info on the wealth of resources in local areas in Canada. Every resource listed in this booklet should be explored, to my surprise I found many new immigrants giving up too soon on the resources mentioned. The whole process from stepping out of aircraft to clearing customs took not more than 40 minutes.
Outside the airport I was greeted by one of the coldest days of the season with -31C and winds. I was happy I landed on the coldest day because every other days seemed like spring even it was -5 outside.

The next day after applying for my SIN card I attended a seminar in a nearby new comer information center (NIC). There were about 20-25 other new immigrants at this seminar and it gave a wealth of info for a new comer ranging from local info on GTA to how to prepare and look for jobs. These NIC’s also have one on one counselors to help every new comer target the jobs in his own field. Like NICs, there are many such centers and organizations all across canada and what surprised me that how much the Govt is doing to help the new immigrants settle in and get into the mainstream. In the 4 other countries where I have lived and worked before no such help was available, I had to struggle and find out things by myself.
We formed a group of 8-10 new immigrants when we met at NIC and it proved to be a great support structure, to be able to share your experiences and views with people in similar situations is a great help in itself. I took every opportunity to talk to every desi or immigrant I came across at bus stops at trains etc, getting different perspectives was a great learning experience in itself.

I’d like to differ with those who present a very negative image and say that only labor jobs are given to desis. I found a few major trends in immigrants which I feel is also contributing to the miseries of new immigrants. I may be wrong but the general trends which I was was quite disturbing
1. Many desis try to land a job as soon as possible within the first 2 weeks. $1=Rs30 factor and also the fear of spending from the settlement funds drives this trend but I’d suggest if one has to do labor jobs, do it after 3-4 months when one has tried every other avenue to get a break in their own field. Also many come with families and kids which will make things even worse in the beginning. Unless one is very well funded bringing families should be a big NO NO.
2. Many desis try to in the comfort zone of GTA. GTA is an industrial area Esp mississauga and west and most employment agencies there will give only labor and factory jobs, even if you hold an MBBS. I met very well qualified people doing labor jobs and were feeling happy that they are earning more than what they did in india. I was stupefied by one guy(B.E, MBA) who said he is doing day and night shifts at a factory just to accumulate 900 hours so that he can get unemployment insurance from the govt.
I don’t blame the govt. of canada for his miseries, if that is what his goals are then that is what he will get. Many of us don’t aim high enough.
We all have to struggle. the choice of where to struggle is ours. Whether to struggle really hard to re-qualify( if needed) and get into our own field or to keep struggling in menial jobs. The choice is really ours.

3. Not many desis make use of the Co-op and other employment programs offered by the govt. The down side of these programs is that one does not get paid for 5-6 months while one gets to work in firms in ones own field. 85% of those who participate in these programs get gainfully employed. Also,not many desis join french courses. I am not sure of the details, but I am told Govt of Quebec gives $500 a month to everyone who enrolls for a french learning class. A family of 4 grown ups could make $2000 a month for just attending french classes everyday for 4 hrs a day!! And one could then do other jobs as well to support. What do we gain by learning french? A whole new world of govt jobs will open to us besides the money and knowledge of another language. Think about it. It will take time but all good things take time.

4. Lastly and most importantly all new desis must work on communication and presentation before coming. That is the key for everything in Canada. I met a senior college prof from India with a PhD, he was complaining about lack of jobs. There are indians in senior positions in Canadian universities with less qualifications than him but what was the difference. The difference I felt was that this person despite his qualification could not even pronounce his name right “Sassi Kumar” for Shashi Kumar in a bihari/UP accent. No offence to Bihari’s please, I am a bihari too. To top it off he had strong sented “chameli ka tel” and drooping 70’s moustache … I wonder how could he clear any interview.

There are plenty of opportunities in Canada. To get to those we have to work hard to get local licencures and qualifications and canadianize ourselves with a positive outlook. And jobs and opportunities will follow in with time. Otherwise we will just working hard on menial jobs with no hopes for future.
There are very few places in the world which offer so many opportunities to new immigrants to settle down, we need find out about them to make full use of it to succeed.

Gook luck to all.

article.php?id=64

BlueLobster
Member since: Oct 02

Posts: 3409
Location: Mississauga
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 03-03-04 11:02:50

Hey, How cool is that!! Congrats Mishtar!!

I agree with Chandresh's party idea, however I don't know how fruitfully I can contribute to a pot-luck. I'm definately up for a pint at a Jack Astors or something...

Did you find something in the GTA, btw?

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Are you there?

hestonuk
Member since: Jun 03

Posts: 140
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 03-03-04 11:26:03

Guys,
Mishtar informed us when he landed and started his struggle, and from his first post it was evident that he had the right attitude to start the struggle , he not only passed off with flying colours but also set an example for a lot of us who are either about to start the struggle or already have.

Mishtar could you, from your experiences guide us, What was the most important element that the recruitors were looking for (Apart from the fact that you could do the job).

How you approached them?

What do they expect from an employee?

What did you do to to overcome the CAD EXP barrier? (if there is any)

How about grooming and presentation and communication? (I personally think this lets a lot of desi down sometimes)

What wasyour attitude?, (were you in the mold of saying "Sir" in the beginning and at the end of each sentence)

You take on this would be much appreciated, and wll be helpful for others, Please add where I have missed.

Thanks and Good Luck

Tuk Tuk
Member since: Feb 04

Posts: 94
Location: Brampton, ON
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 03-03-04 11:59:23

Congratulations, Mishtar India , Continue sharing your experiences climbing the ladder of success.

Aur Canadiandesi ko bhool mat Jana

Time to celebrate, guys

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Some people make Things happen, Some watch Things happen, While others wonder what has happened.............

Mishtar India
Member since: Nov 03

Posts: 668
Location: Toronto
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 03-03-04 17:03:57

Thankyou, ...thanks a lot folks !!

It is very nice of you all ...it is very gracious of you all and esp Chandresh for the party idea .....actually i plan to throw a party to you all, and it should really be me hosting it as you all have been great help all along in in this process with sharing experiences/ views and we could become good freinds in the process.... i really want to meet you all in person as i could not attend the first meeting on 10th Jan, i landed in toronto on the same day .

First of ...I want to let you know the factors which gave me a headstart and those which put me at a disadvantage.

the disadvantageous factors were that i am in a feild which has very few indians, and it requires a lot of local knowledge of the local codes and certifications. i am into building engineering and have been involved with building construction projects. there are very few indians in this feild and the acceptability of a "non local" face is very low. the other disadvantage is that i have no US canadian education ...i only have an engineering degree from a not so well known university in india ( i was a good student tho) .....and most of all i am a staunch desi and a bihari at heart ( just kidding for this one )

the advantage with me was that i had not resigned from my present job in USA, the other advantage was the fact that i have worked on a project which was listed in the top 10 construction achievements of 20th century.

i would love to share my experiences and approach with you all but i think a person "individually" is a best judge himself/herself to make the best judgement about which approach one should take in an interview or job search.... to me it all is a part of the great learning experience .

Even tho I am making more money in US than what i am being offerred i am really excited about the new move. and thanks to CD.com i had become mentally seasoned to expect really nothing after arriving in canada and after arriving and looking at the job market i lowered my expectations even more . But my initial struggle in US had given me confidence that , i felt that if i could get a break in the US in a difficult job market i could do it anywhere .

here are some things which i did after landing in canada ...

i found out from monster.ca and other salary survey sites how much a project manager with engineering background and 10yrs experience is worth in toronto, i mentally set that as my target . I knew that odd jobs may be in my fate but i totally kept it out of consideration and my mental radar screen. I had taken a 4 week extended leave from my present job in New York and set myself that time to get a break in toronto. after 30 days i returned back. during those 30 days and I totally targetted the industry leaders in my feild , developing contacts with their senior management and HR people and then apoproached them in a friendly manner not as a job seeker .
after returneing i got 2 calls and they paid me to come down for an interview in toronto.

During the 30 days I did not project myself as a new immigrant looking for a job ...i told them i am here on a long vacation ( which was actually the case) and was thinking about relocating to toronto . I told them i was interested in knowing more about the opportunities available in the industry in Toronto. It is a fact that HR guys will respect you more if you tell them that you are already employed somewhere else and they might show interest in you because you work for a another similar company. Afterall if they advertise for a job opening , they are as much in need for the right guy just as we need the job.

I think it is not the right thing to approach them in with "yes sir"... "thanku sir" approach. some people put the cliched closing lines in cover letters and ending it with pet lines like " i will be highly obliged ...." why should we be obliged? ...he needs a guy to fill in the spot ...we are giving him a chance to fill it ...one should be respectful alright but i think we sometimes take it a little too far .

these HR guys get this hard nosed attitude, i think, because hundreds of us approach them "beseeching" for a job. we are all qualified people with proven records.....for me my present job helped my to keep this attitude . I know it is tough , but I'd suggest every new immigrant to approach the employers "on one to one" equal level and you will feel that you are more respected for that. They need us just as we need them. Try it ...it might make a difference for you.

I am not patting my back , i know there are more deserving people than me in the job market in toronto, i think i just got extremely lucky. I just thankGod for the opportunity. and I hope i will be able to fit well in the new assignment.

I have not joined them yet, i resigned from my present company and am riding out the notice period , i dont know how the future will play out for me ....but I am hoping and praying it turns out well ...i could have stayed in the US for 5-6 years and gotten a greencard but there were uncertainities involved and i did not want to give up a chance to become a canadian citizen in 3 yrs especially now that i am getting a job there...for some reason i liked toronto a lot and i am happy i an getting to be there by the end of the month.

hope it works out well for every new immgrant ....

the last post asked me not to forget cd.com ...how can i ever do that ...yes there are periods when i do not post anything but i do keep checking it everyday...

I will be in toronto by the end of the month ...i am looking for an apartment in downtown ...( that is where my project is)i would appreciate suggestions. I plan to do a get together at my place for all of you.... i really want to meet you all in person and thank you. this a a great group of people and looking forward to be among you all and one of you.
sorry about the lengthy post ...it got long probably because i had not posted anyhting in 3 weeks ...will keep it short next time !!

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What can be imagined, can be achieved.

DesiTiger
Member since: Aug 03

Posts: 1205
Location: Mississauga
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 03-03-04 17:13:51

9 PAGES!!!

This gotta be the longest running post on CD.com. Definetly a record

Keep it up guys

DT

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Microsoft - Which end of the stick do you want today?

hestonuk
Member since: Jun 03

Posts: 140
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 03-03-04 17:35:03

Hi Mishatar,
Thanks for sharing your experience, it has been great help, and all of us can take pointers from it,

Thanks and Best of luck with the new job.

sanjeevm
Member since: Jan 04

Posts: 497
Location: Toronto
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 03-03-04 20:02:00

O Mishtar Indiaji,
Ho gayi Teri Balle Balle
Ho jaayegi Balle Balle!!

Congrats! Congrats! Congrats!

Lallu Bhaiyya ko 'Taar' kar diye ho ya naaheen ki ab hi se Patna mein peelot book karwaye liyo, ab eeh Canadian company ka head office Toronto se uhaan sift hue ke hai tum jo is company mein engineerwa ban ke aaye gaye ho.

Chandresh, pot-Luck wala idea bada zordaar hai aur us se zordaar Mistar India ka party wala idea hai........Mishtar bhai, "POT" hum le aayenge, aap to sirf thoda sa "LUCK" le aana humare liye

EK BAAR PHIR SE......CONGRATULATIONS!!

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Sanjeev Manocha, MBA
Real Estate Sales Representative
Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)

Re/Max West Realty Inc, Brokerage
96, Rexdale Blvd., Toronto

Mobile: 416-843-7600
Office: 416-745-2300
http://www.manocharealty.com" rel="nofollow">LINK

Contributors: Mishtar India(22) jake3d(22) biomed(13) BlueLobster(8) Maharaj(6) Chris(5) sanjeevm(4) sunilshr(3) Tuk Tuk(3) reachme(3) vijeshjain(3) chandresh(3) DesiTiger(2) abisangi(2) Manan Gupta(2) bharat.sharma(2) kjyoti26(2) hestonuk(2) Kap(1) amitbakhshi(1) SUDHISH(1) mslall(1) erebello(1) bumbaya(1) smiss(1) nishitno1(1) ayaskant(1) Manjeet(1) xxx(1) peacock1(1) AnilKG(1) parmarkn(1) HARJIT6244(1) riiishi(1) NorthAlberta(1) anujark(1) Vel1(1) deepcb(1)

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