Dear all,

After reading couple of success stories here I thought I should share my experiences with u. I landed here in 2002 summer. My husband was here since 1999. I came here, after 2 months I started looking for jobs and even registered with some agencies. Initially nothing came my way, not even telemarketing, obviously I didn't had Canadian Accent, education and most of all experience. But then I got job at Rogers’s video as CSR which was never my field (I did my MSc in microbiology and had experience working in hospitals and industries as Microbiologist). Anyways, as I was getting frustrated to took up that job. Initially I didn't like that job at all coz I didn't know anything about it, and had never worked as csr, my manager was good and she helped me in learning things, but I couldn’t do that for long, so I quit after a month.

In a mean time I met a girl in a mall selling credit cards, so I thought I can do this thing and would have enough time to look for some thing in my own field. But by this time I have left my old attitude (coz I had always compared the present job with the job in India, where I had lot of luxury)and took the things as they come. No matter I have to go and ask people if they are interested in taking a card, I was firm I had to improve and prove myself.

Yes, I had couple of interviews in between but nothing worked for me. I learned a lot from my credit card job, I gained confidence in talking with the people, and was confident in everything more than ever. After couple of months I had a baby and life was beautiful and happy. I had a year off for maternity leave. In between I went to India and came back.

After coming back to India, I had the option of going back to my credit card job, but I thought let me try looking in my field (actually I didn't want to leave my baby, unless I can manage something in my own field). My maternity was over and then I was again tired of looking for jobs but it wasn't that bad as initially. Then finally I decided I would upgrade my education and would try to get admission in spring 2005 session. But again it needs lot of money. Mean while I started looking for some volunteer work in labs, pharmaceuticals etc., but no luck. I did lot of cold calling and posting resumes but nothing worked. But one fine day I left a message to company's voice mail for volunteer position and to my surprise they called me next day, then I had 2 telephonic interview and 1 interview in person and then they offered me part time (20 hrs a week) Microbiologist position and that too paid. I was happy like anything. Soon, after 2 months, they were impressed with my work I became full time with a raise. So, from last 7 months I am with this company and very happy and satisfied.

So, I would like to say that, if u are unable to find something in your field, try to look for volunteer work, I know it is hard to get one, but not impossible. I told my experience to my friend and she did the same thing, 3 months volunteer and now she is full time permanent employee in a company. I hope as an immigrant we need to learn more and more in this country and never say NO to any kind of job.