Hi all,
Sorry for a long silence. We landed in Oct 04 and spent first few months in hunting for a job..that invloved everything from attending India Rainbow workshop to cold calling and networking and job scams( refer my earlier post on RD Group International). After 3 months 3 weeks I got a good job thro a professional whom I met on http://www.linkedin.com." rel="nofollow">LINK I started in a contract position that was converted to a full time one after 2 months of joining. I got the job only because at that point the company needed someone very badly and I was the right fit plus I was recommended by an insider. My resume was an extremely ordinary one at that point but my previous experience was given consideration and not how my resume was framed.
It has been over 3 months in this company and I would like to share my experiences with all of you.
1.There is NO RACISM at work place. When I was being considered for the full time position, there were 3 other Canadians interviewed for the same position and I was given preference over all of them. In fact, I was offered one level higher than the interviewed position. In our manufacturing unit, there are immigrants in good positions from all over the world – Romania, Yugoslavia, Sudan, Pakistan, China and India.
2.People are generally very helpful and give a lot of respect to your opinions and value your skills. I took a while to adjust to the Canadian accent. Initially I did as much work as possible thro emails but in two weeks I got used to it. I felt worst once when one of my colleagues had hard time following my accent on phone and requested me to send an email!! But when I met her personally after a few days, she was very nice to me..it is just the same for them…they too take a while to adjust to our accent.
3.The amount of computerization done here in work places is very high and one has to be really adept at using computers.

Answers to GG’s common questions :

1.I have an engineering background. I work in a project division handling post order activities. The work is similar to what I did back home….it is much simpler but the volume is very high and you realize the significance of the much used terms in Canada such as “fast paced” and “multitasking”
2.I did not do any labour job after coming to Canada. Fortunately for us, we have a close relative here with whom we are staying. That is a big moral support when one does not have to worry about paying up the bills and can really focus on the job hunt.
3.I am satisfied with my job…and see good career prospects in Canada.
4.My spouse is yet to find a job. He has not gone in for any labour jobs as we have accepted that it takes time in Canada to get the right job.
5.The life for a common man in Canada is peaceful and hassle free.
6. About my kids..I am happy that they do not have to go thro the rat race in India and they will have a good life here even if they turn out to be average in studies. But I am too scared at times when I see the teens here. I think we have a long way to go!!
7.It has really been a major decision to uproot ourselves and come to another country. I am 37 and my husband is 42 and we keep feeling at times that if we had come here 10 years back, it would have been much simpler. In the morning when we open the newspaper or watch TV in the evening, somehow we do not feel at home! The pleasure that we derived by reading The Times of India or the local daily would never be possible with The Toronto Star. I do not know if any one of you had a similar feeling.

I can not say right now that I am successful. I had much lavish life back home as far as spending quality time with kids was concerned. My long term goal is to work from home so that I can take proper care of the family. I have taken the first step to it by making a website of Indian books for children that I intend to promote in North America. Thanks to Chandresh and Blue Lobster for giving an encouraging response to me when I first discussed this concept with them. I am purposely not mentioning the site address as I do not wish to use this forum as a platform to advertise for free.

Company registration and Canadian customs was an extremely pleasant experience. I think it may be a very good idea for one person in the family to have a job and another person to pursue business. The atmosphere here is very encouraging for small entrepreneurs.

Last but not the least…to all those who have some great ideas on the knowledge of English language and accent and CBSc / ICSc schools….I studied in a vernacular school and I can strongly say that people do not give a damn as long as you speak well and are able to express your ideas and thoughts to them. You do not have to change your accent for them.

Any questions…please send me a mail / message.

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Work is forever. Childhood is only once. Spend time with your kids...

Hi all,
My spouse got a job recently in his field and looks like things are falling in place finally.
In my earlier post, I mentioned that there is no racism at work place. I want to repeat this after 6 months. In fact, in my company, after I joined, 4 new people were hired and all are recent immigrants.
There are still some openings coming up and if there are any electrical engineers on this forum with experience in low voltage switchgear, please send me a pm.
thanks

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Work is forever. Childhood is only once. Spend time with your kids...